desire

1 of 2

verb

de·​sire di-ˈzī(-ə)r 

dē-

desired; desiring

transitive verb

1

: to long or hope for : exhibit or feel desire for

desire success

knew that men still desired her

2

a

: to express a wish for : request

they desire an immediate answer

b

archaic : to express a wish to : ask

desired them to reconsider

3

obsolete : invite

4

archaic : to feel the loss of

intransitive verb

: to have or feel desire

They may come if they so desire.

desire

2 of 2

noun

1

: conscious impulse (see impulse entry 1 sense 1) toward something that promises enjoyment or satisfaction in its attainment

ridding oneself of all desires

how humans process desire

2

a

: longing, craving

teenagers' desire for independence

… the inexpensive homebuilt craft that satisfy many people's desire to fly

—James Fallows

b

: sexual urge or appetite

3

: something longed or hoped for : something desired

You are my heart's desire.

4

: a usually formal request or petition for some action

at the desire of one fifth of those present

—U.S. Constitution

Synonyms

Verb

• ache (for)
• covet
• crave
• desiderate
• die (for)
• hanker (for or after)
• hunger (for)
• itch (for)
• jones (for) [slang]
• long (for)
• lust (for or after)
• pant (after)
• pine (for)
• repine (for)
• salivate (for)
• sigh (for)
• thirst (for)
• want
• wish (for)
• yearn (for)
• yen (for)

Noun

• appetency
• appetite
• craving
• drive
• hankering
• hunger
• itch
• jones [slang]
• letch
• longing
• lust
• passion
• pining
• thirst
• thirstiness
• urge
• yearning
• yen

Choose the Right Synonym for desire

desire, wish, want, crave, covet mean to have a longing for.

desire stresses the strength of feeling and often implies strong intention or aim.

desires to start a new life

wish sometimes implies a general or transient longing especially for the unattainable.

wishes for permanent world peace

want specifically suggests a felt need or lack.

wants to have a family

crave stresses the force of physical appetite or emotional need.

craves sweets

covet implies strong envious desire.

covets his rise to fame

Examples of desire in a Sentence

Verb

He desired her approval more than anything.

The apartment has modern amenities, a great location—everything you could desire.

She knew that men still desired her.

Noun

Desire is a common theme in music and literature.

The magazine tries to attend to the needs and desires of its readers.

Both sides feel a real desire for peace.

His decisions are guided by his desire for land.

They expressed a desire to go with us.

They have a desire to have children.

a strong desire to travel around the world

He was overcome with desire for her.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Garnish with a sprinkling of cinnamon and blueberries or raspberries if desired. —Alessandra Signorelli, Vogue, 19 Nov. 2024

If so desired, it can be served in a large snifter typical of the Spanish-style gin and tonic, but in that case, only fill the glass halfway with ice, leaving plenty of room to savor the aromatics. —Jeff Burkhart, The Mercury News, 13 Nov. 2024

Noun

History shows us what can happen when the desire for political control meets the vulnerability of immigrant communities. —Josh Becker, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024

This innate desire for connection, however, combined with people’s reliance on technology, can lead to feelings of FOMO– fear of missing out – and anxiety during a digital detox. —Discover Magazine, 7 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French desirer, from Latin desiderare, from de- + sider-, sidus heavenly body

First Known Use

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing desire

• desire line
• desire path
• heart's desire
• object of desire

Kids Definition

desire

1 of 2 verb

de·​sire di-ˈzī(ə)r 

desired; desiring

1

: to long for : wish earnestly

desire wealth

desire peace

2

: to call for : express a wish for : request

the librarian desires us to return all overdue books

desire

2 of 2 noun

1

: a strong wish : longing

also : the mental power or ability to experience desires

2

: an expressed wish : request

3

: something desired

Legal Definition

desire

transitive verb

de·​sire

desired; desiring

: to wish for earnestly see also precatory

Note: Courts have variously interpreted desire in wills to indicate either a direction of the testator that must be followed or merely an expression of what the testator hoped would happen.