thirsty

adjective

ˈthər-stē 

thirstier; thirstiest

1

a

: feeling thirst

hungry and thirsty

b

: deficient in moisture : parched

thirsty land/soil

c

: highly absorbent

thirsty towels

d

: causing thirst

thirsty work

2

a

: having a strong desire for something : avid

thirsty for knowledge

b

informal : feeling or showing a strong desire for attention, approval, or publicity (as on social media)

… the brands did what was inevitable: They began to tweet about the question, hoping to grab some of that attention for their own. For a thirsty brand, the only thing better than April Fools' Day is a hugely viral meme.

—Abby Ohlheiser

thirstiness

ˈthər-stē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms

• arid
• droughty
• dry
• sere
• sear
• waterless

Examples of thirsty in a Sentence

The salty food was making her thirsty.

struggling to survive in that hot and thirsty climate

Recent Examples on the Web

Later in the segment, Underwood discusses his new role in STARZ’s Three Women and reacts to some thirsty tweets. —Mya Abraham, VIBE.com, 30 Oct. 2024

Because hot air is thirstier — and therefore wetter — the rising heat has correlated with a rise in floods as well. —Saul Elbein, The Hill, 30 Oct. 2024

Monday marked the first World Series game in the Bronx in 15 years, and the Yankees decorated the place in history and hype, showing videos of past championships, enlisting Derek Jeter to throw out the first pitch and regaling the thirsty crowd with some Ice Cube-countering rap from Fat Joe. —Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2024

Despite the sticker price, this vehicle will still quell the speed demon inside the owner, while not being as expensive or nearly as thirsty as the AMG model. —Nina Turner, Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English thirsti, thursty, þristi, going back to Old English þurstig, þyrstig, from þurst thirst entry 1 + -ig -y entry 1 (with parallel formations in Middle Dutch dorstich, Old High German durstac, tursteg)

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

thirsty

adjective

ˈthər-stē 

thirstier; thirstiest

1

a

: feeling thirst

b

: needing moisture

thirsty land

2

: having a strong desire

thirsty for knowledge

thirstily

-stə-lē

adverb

Medical Definition

thirsty

adjective

ˈthər-stē 

thirstier; thirstiest

: feeling thirst