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

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

"It's a blood sport, people do have a blood thirst to watch this sport," Malignaggi says.

From BBC • Feb. 20, 2026

There Booth and Herold quenched their thirst and sought a ride south, across the Rappahannock River to Port Royal, then on to a nearby railroad station.

From "Chasing Lincoln's Killer" by James L. Swanson

Related Words

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