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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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:
He tells me he is now spurred by the desire to assemble an archive specifically dedicated to the people — portraits of family and friends — who feel like home.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 11, 2026
Because he is still employed, he might not know that his work isn’t the quality you desire.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 10, 2026
"I think we showed desire today. We got the fans behind us and that's really important when you play at Anfield. A positive step for us."
From BBC ● Sep. 9, 2026
“The irony of tech wealth is this desire for less technology.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 9, 2026
They longed for a relationship with some big Wall Street trading firm and mentioned the desire to their accountant.
From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis
There was the time, for instance, when a friend was mulling over a family challenge, and I thought I had the absolute perfect solution for juggling her personal desires with her caregiving commitments.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 12, 2026
Naturally, the series is designed to satisfy certain teenage desires; not unusually, the main romance is triangular.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 10, 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
“You are docile today. Did your sister admonish you? She desires our approval very much.”
From "The Cruel Prince" by Holly Black
Rather than constructing the desired quantum states one small piece at a time, their method can perform a wide variety of operations much faster.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 11, 2026
If the events don’t achieve their desired outcomes, a proportionate amount of tokens will be donated to charity, people familiar with the matter said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 7, 2026
It was assumed the military component would be enough for a quick victory and that has not had the desired effect.
From BBC ● Sep. 4, 2026
Ahmed said the decision should reflect the worker’s income, age, desired savings, plan expenses and tolerance for paperwork.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 2, 2026
“I may have lived but for one petty and meager lifetime, but for over three hundred years since, I have desired one thing, that what is rightfully mine to be returned to me at last.”
From "Night Owls" by A.R. Vishny
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
Talk about two old school dishes that are doable, theoretically, for home chefs desiring to replicate the former dining experience in their more modest castles.
From Salon ● Nov. 1, 2025
The motivations for septuagenarian entrepreneurs include desiring autonomy, pursuing meaningful projects and addressing societal needs.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 2, 2025
“God’s will is urgently desiring that people come together and devote themselves to each other’s healing.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 11, 2025
“She must feel very lonely without her son,” said Edna, desiring to change the subject.
From "The Awakening" by Kate Chopin
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.
