desirous
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
- desirously adverb
- desirousness noun
- nondesirous adjective
- overdesirous adjective
- overdesirously adverb
- overdesirousness noun
- predesirous adjective
- predesirously adverb
- superdesirous adjective
- superdesirously adverb
- undesirous adjective
- undesirously adverb
Etymology
Origin of desirous
First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English word from Old French word desireus. See desire, -ous
Explanation
To be desirous of something is to want it. It's like being wishful. We’re all desirous of a safe place to sleep, food, and perhaps a little bowl of candy. When you desire something, you want it. Likewise, being desirous is a state of desire, want, and craving. A thirsty person is desirous of liquid. An eager employee may be desirous of a raise and a promotion. Dogs are often desirous of people food. This word can apply to small, momentary wants or deep, yearning needs.
Vocabulary lists containing desirous
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The airspace above the capital is a no-fly zone, off-limits to anyone desirous of slipping the surly bonds of Earth and gazing down at what, quite frankly, is a pretty handsome town.
From Washington Post • Dec. 31, 2022
Hongwu’s son, the Yongle emperor, the third emperor of the Ming dynasty, was a bit more curious about the world outside China and more desirous of tribute than his father.
From Textbooks • Dec. 14, 2022
“I would suggest that fashion and design is growing viable and thriving, and is very desirous of that type of environment,” he said of the center.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 21, 2022
He wrote on the title page that these pieces were for “the profit and use of musical youth desirous of learning.”
From New York Times • Dec. 17, 2021
Boyle, he complained, was ‘in my opinion too open & too desirous of fame’.
From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
