thirst
Americannoun
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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)
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to feel thirst; be thirsty.
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to have a strong desire.
noun
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a craving to drink, accompanied by a feeling of dryness in the mouth and throat
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an eager longing, craving, or yearning
a thirst for knowledge
verb
Other Word Forms
Etymology
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 toast 1
Explanation
Thirst is the sensation of needing or wanting to drink something. Use the same word whether you're talking about your thirst for lemonade on a hot day or the dire thirst of someone lost in a desert without water. At its most serious, thirst can be compared to starvation: "The water shortage is leading to extreme thirst in the poorest parts of the country." You can also use this word for a much milder need, like your cousin's seemingly endless thirst for root beer. Figuratively, to thirst for something is to desire it strongly: "Her thirst for knowledge means she stays up late reading the encyclopedia."
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.
What I see coming is a rising thirst for safety and a kicking away from the world that made Ted Turner possible.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 7, 2026
It only matters to us that Les manages to return Lindy to her former status; his thirst for recognition is represented as pathetic and unseemly.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2026
Dozens of sessions were held addressing how the gas sector can help satisfy AI's insatiable thirst for electricity, or how AI-driven software can, in turn, help the sector optimize its production.
From Barron's • Mar. 27, 2026
Perhaps the spluttering German economy and its current thirst for US energy were on Merz's mind.
From BBC • Mar. 19, 2026
Still, he couldn’t resist the comforts of the warm beverage, and, plagued by the insatiable thirst of his displaced soul, he took a sip.
From "The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest" by Aubrey Hartman
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.
