thirst

[ thurst ]

/ θɜrst /

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See synonyms for: thirst / thirsted / thirsting on Thesaurus.com

noun

a sensation of dryness in the mouth and throat caused by need of liquid.

the physical condition resulting from this need, in any of various degrees: They almost died of thirst.

strong or eager desire; craving: a thirst for knowledge.

verb (used without object)

to feel thirst; be thirsty.

to have a strong desire.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of thirst

before 900; Middle English thirsten (v.), Old English thyrstan, derivative of thurst (noun); cognate with Dutch dorst,German Durst,Old Norse thorsti,Gothic thaurstei; noun has -i- from the v. or from thirsty; see toast¹

OTHER WORDS FROM thirst

thirster, nounun·thirst·ing, adjective

Words nearby thirst

Third World, Third Worlder, thirl, thirlage, Thirlmere, thirst, thirst trap, thirsty, thirteen, Thirteen Colonies, thirteen-lined ground squirrel

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use thirst in a sentence

Agreeing to those terms appears nearly impossible for Schumer, given the growing thirst in his base for a filibuster-free Senate.
The case against Democrats nuking the filibuster|Aaron Blake|January 22, 2021|Washington Post
Like pain or thirst, boredom is an emotional state that tells us we need to change our behavior.
There’s a right and wrong way to be bored|Sara Chodosh|January 22, 2021|Popular-Science
Search marketers who have a thirst and curiosity to continually learn and grow are the ones that achieve excellence.
Five ways to become a ‘Search Sherpa’ for your own organization|Lisa Little|December 7, 2020|Search Engine Land
Harassment and probable hospitalization of Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara or Maykel Osorbo, the two group members who also began a thirst strike, was expected.
A hunger strike in San Isidro, the protest that does not let Havana sleep|Maykel González Vivero|November 30, 2020|Washington Blade

Because I think they often reflect a kind of thirst for knowledge, which I think is actually healthy.
5 Psychology Terms You’re Probably Misusing (Ep. 334 Rebroadcast)|Stephen J. Dubner|January 9, 2020|Freakonomics
Petty, shade, and thirst are my favorite human “virtues” and the trifecta of any good series of “stories.”
‘Empire’ Review: Hip-Hop Musical Chairs with an Insane Soap Opera Twist|Judnick Mayard|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
This spatial displacement reveals your thirst for freedom, your desire for openness and to break with the protest novel.
Living Black & Gay in the ’50s|Alain Mabanckou|December 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The hunger usually subsides quickly, but thirst sometimes causes serious pain.
The Nurse Coaching People Through Death by Starvation|Nick Tabor|November 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In North Carolina, they let a 54-year-old untreated schizophrenic die of thirst after 35 days in solitary confinement.
Here’s a Reform Even the Koch Brothers and George Soros Can Agree On|Tina Brown|November 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In response, voters thought voting for Madison was inconsistent with their thirst for free booze.
Founding Fathers Loved Drunk Voters|Kevin Bleyer|November 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It was he who first said, If thine enemy hunger give him food, if he thirst give him drink.
Solomon and Solomonic Literature|Moncure Daniel Conway
He just got a good holt–a shore enough diamond hitch–on that thirst-parlour dawg, and chawed.
Alec Lloyd, Cowpuncher|Eleanor Gates
The needy and the poor seek for waters, and there are none: their tongue hath been dry with thirst.
The Bible, Douay-Rheims Version|Various
Some were already dying of thirst; others were too sick and weak to help in the care of the ship.
Alila, Our Little Philippine Cousin|Mary Hazelton Wade
But this was but a passing phase, and soon the thirst for glory called the young soldier to sterner things.
Napoleon's Marshals|R. P. Dunn-Pattison

British Dictionary definitions for thirst

thirst

/ (θɜːst) /

noun

a craving to drink, accompanied by a feeling of dryness in the mouth and throat

an eager longing, craving, or yearninga thirst for knowledge

verb

(intr) to feel a thirstto thirst for a drink; to thirst after righteousness

Word Origin for thirst

Old English thyrstan, from thurst thirst; related to Old Norse thyrsta to thirst, Old High German dursten to thirst, Latin torrēre to parch

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

thirst

Origin of thirst

OTHER WORDS FROM thirst

Words nearby thirst

Words related to thirst

How to use thirst in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for thirst

Word Origin for thirst