desire
Americanverb (used with object)
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desires,
present (3rd person singular)
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desired,
past participle, past
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desiring
present participle
noun
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desires
plural
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a longing or craving, as for something that brings satisfaction or enjoyment.
a desire for fame.
- Synonyms:
- thirst, appetite, hunger, aspiration
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an expressed wish; request.
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something desired.
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sexual appetite or a sexual urge.
verb
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to wish or long for; crave; want
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to express a wish or make a request for; ask for
noun
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a wish or longing; craving
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an expressed wish; request
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sexual appetite; lust
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a person or thing that is desired
Usage
What are other ways to say desire? To desire something or someone is to crave or long for them. How is desire different from want and wish? Find out on Thesaurus.com.
Synonym Usage
Desire, craving, longing, yearning suggest feelings that impel one to the attainment or possession of something. Desire is a strong feeling, worthy or unworthy, that impels to the attainment or possession of something that is (in reality or imagination) within reach: a desire for success. Craving implies a deep and imperative wish for something, based on a sense of need and hunger: a craving for food, companionship. A longing is an intense wish, generally repeated or enduring, for something that is at the moment beyond reach but may be attainable at some future time: a longing to visit Europe. Yearning suggests persistent, uneasy, and sometimes wistful or tender longing: a yearning for one's native land.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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desirednessnoun
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desirernoun
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overdesirenoun
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self-desirenoun
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desirelessadjective
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undesiringadjective
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desiredlyadverb
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desiringlyadverb
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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desiresimple
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desiressimple
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have desiredperfect
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has desiredperfect
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am desiringprogressive
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are desiringprogressive
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is desiringprogressive
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have been desiringperfect progressive
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has been desiringperfect progressive
Past
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desiredsimple
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had desiredperfect
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was desiringprogressive
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were desiringprogressive
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had been desiringperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of desire
First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English desiren, from Old French desirer, from Latin dēsīderāre; see desiderate ( def. )
Explanation
If you're talking about the longings of the heart, use the word desire. When you are studying for a difficult history exam, the desire to be somewhere far away doing something fun might be very strong! Desire can be used as both a noun and a verb. Is your boyfriend your heart's desire? Your parents probably desire your punctual appearance at the dinner table every evening. Desire is usually used not just when you long for any old thing, but for something that is associated with giving great pleasure. Thus, you might want to get an A on a test, but you desire a piece of chocolate cake.
Vocabulary lists containing desire
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"Macbeth" Vocabulary from Act IV
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Beowulf vocabulary
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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.
See Examples For:
“Defendants’ contemporaneous words and deeds confirm that the challenged actions were based on a desire to make a public example out of Anthropic for its ‘arrogance’ in criticizing the government,” Lin wrote.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 28, 2026
While I understand the desire to knock this last bit of debt out, think twice against taking money out of your retirement account.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 28, 2026
What is unarguable is that it was a total capitulation, a feeble collapse in the face of LASK's physicality and desire and belief.
From BBC ● Aug. 26, 2026
"Harry has made clear that he has a desire to reconcile," royal expert Ed Owens told AFP last week, after news of the Sussex's imminent relocation first surfaced.
From Barron's ● Aug. 26, 2026
Meanwhile she’d been knocking it out of the park, a fact that I probably would have noticed if I hadn’t been so distracted by my desire to see her fail.
From "Glitch" by Laura Martin
The two bills would bar lawyers from prioritizing the desires of private investors who fund lawsuits, and ramp up penalties for lawyers who scout for clients at hospitals, jails and accident sites.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 27, 2026
As James notes, "Our actions feel like they are caused by decisions based on desires, beliefs, and intentions."
From Science Daily ● Aug. 25, 2026
Marvell Technology reports earnings this week but Wall Street desires more details on a recently announced agreement with Google.
From Barron's ● Aug. 24, 2026
But such great champions are, of course, born competitors who have insatiable desires to win matches - and Grand Slam trophies.
From BBC ● Aug. 22, 2026
“The king desires his own men about him when he holds court.”
From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin
Social media fuelled a spike in interest over recent years – with her museum's bold floral shapes and shiny steel orbs turning into a desired backdrop for selfies and poses.
From BBC ● Aug. 27, 2026
Customers can appeal those decisions or share more information with OpenAI if desired.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 19, 2026
You can do the exercises at home, with little to no equipment, and you can easily progress with hand-held weights, if desired.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 18, 2026
In other words, your ability to retire is entirely dependent on your expenses and your desired income.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 10, 2026
He more than Creüsa passionately desired a son.
From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton
Huckabee reportedly told embassy staff in an email there was "no need to panic, but for those desiring to leave, it's important to make plans to depart sooner rather than later".
From BBC ● Feb. 27, 2026
The motivations for septuagenarian entrepreneurs include desiring autonomy, pursuing meaningful projects and addressing societal needs.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 2, 2025
Sure, I get it: If you’re reading this, then you and I could choose to congratulate ourselves for not actively desiring this outcome, and for doing whatever we did to prevent it.
From Salon ● Jan. 21, 2025
But Southwest said it had listened to customers who sought more options, often desiring more comfortable, premium seats when they took longer flights.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 25, 2024
Elévée picked at the short sleeve of her school uniform, evidently not desiring to talk about fashion.
From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver
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.
