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

If more distress is still desired after a wash, use tweezers and scissors to pull away and cut the blue yarns only. —Jane Herman, Vogue, 7 Apr. 2024

The universal appeal of large windows, plenty of natural light, and an airy, open-concept space will always be desired. —Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Apr. 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 path
• desire line
• object of desire
• heart's 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.