thirst

American  

[thurst] / θɜrst /

noun

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

2. the physical condition resulting from this need, in any of various degrees.

   They almost died of thirst.

3. strong or eager desire; craving.

   a thirst for knowledge.

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verb (used without object)

1. to feel thirst; be thirsty.

2. to have a strong desire.

thirst British  

/ θɜːst /

noun

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

2. an eager longing, craving, or yearning

   a thirst for knowledge

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verb

1. (intr) to feel a thirst

   to thirst for a drink

   to thirst after righteousness

Other Word Forms

• thirster noun
• unthirsting adjective

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; toast ¹

Example Sentences

Or maybe they’re local fans who have a thirst that only 20+ refills can quench.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 31, 2026

Hopes that China’s thirst for foreign reds would return were dashed in May, when, as part of a continuing austerity drive, Beijing explicitly banned the consumption of alcohol at Chinese government and Communist Party events.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 2026

Juggling rapid growth and investors’ thirst for profit isn’t easy, either.

From Barron's • Mar. 10, 2026

When your investigation can be derailed by a thirst for retweets, it was never about truth in the first place.

From Salon • Feb. 27, 2026

The thirst has started to shut down his brain.

From "Dry" by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman

Related Words

• appetite
• desire
• eagerness
• hankering
• hunger
• longing
• lust
• passion
• yearning