lust

[ luhst ]

noun

1. intense sexual desire or appetite.
2. uncontrolled or illicit sexual desire or appetite; lecherousness.
3. a passionate or overmastering desire or craving (usually followed by for ):

   a lust for power.

4. ardent enthusiasm; zest; relish:

   an enviable lust for life.

5. Obsolete.
   1. pleasure or delight.
   2. desire; inclination; wish.

verb (used without object)

1. to have intense sexual desire.
2. to have a yearning or desire; have a strong or excessive craving (often followed by for or after ).

   Synonyms: yearn, covet, hunger, crave

lust

/ lʌst /

noun

1. a strong desire for sexual gratification
2. a strong desire or drive

verb

1. intr; often foll by after or for to have a lust (for)

Other Words From

• un·lusting adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of lust¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English luste, Old English lust; cognate with Dutch, German Lust “pleasure, desire”; akin to Old Norse lyst “desire”; list ⁴

Word History and Origins

Origin of lust¹

Old English; related to Old High German lust desire, Old Norse losti sexual desire, Latin lascīvus playful, wanton, lustful. Compare listless

Example Sentences

She lusted after someone who was physically attractive but beneath her intellectually.

From Los Angeles Times

"Sliced up eyeballs" and "goats of lust" aren't traditionally the sort of images that help your toddler drift off to sleep.

From BBC

Sivan then took the baton, with strobe-flicking odes to the cravings of lust like “What’s the Time Where You Are?” and “Honey.”

From Los Angeles Times

Ashbourne is also in thrall to her character, who has a tough exterior but a lust for life - and leopard print.

From BBC

Blame the occupation, they say, and its lust for destruction and death.

From BBC

Related Words

• covet
• crave
• hanker
• itch
• yearn