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 of thirsty

• dry

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

Maybe James isn’t just using the thirsty Dubs as leverage to spur the Lakers into action. — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 29 June 2026

The five-time champion may have charmed the world over the decades, but now finds itself in a bit of a dry spell, thirsty for a sixth victory. — Julia Vargas Jones, CNN Money, 24 June 2026

The rich body lotion combines cocoa butter and shea butter to soften and smooth rough, thirsty skin, while squalane replenishes the skin barrier and locks in moisture. — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 23 June 2026

To avoid this, install a bird bath near your garden to supply fresh water to thirsty birds that may otherwise feed on your produce. — Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 June 2026

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

Rhymes for thirsty

• bloodthirsty

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