desires; desired; desiring
not used in progressive tenses
1
somewhat formal
: to want or wish for (something) : to feel desire for (something)
Many people desire wealth.
He desired her approval more than anything.
The apartment has modern amenities, a great location—everything you could desire.
Those desiring [=looking for] a more relaxed atmosphere will prefer the pub in the restaurant's lower level.
—sometimes followed by to + verbI have always desired [=wanted] to go to France.
2
: to want to have sex with (someone)
She knew that men still desired her.
3
formal
: to express a wish for (something)
The committee desires [=requests] an immediate answer.
plural desires
1
a
: the feeling of wanting something
Desire is a common theme in music and literature.
an object of desire [=something that people want to have]
b
: a strong wish
It is our desire that all of you be treated fairly. [=we want all of you to be treated fairly]
The magazine tries to attend to the needs and desires of its readers.
: a wish for something or to do something
Both sides feel a real desire for peace.
His decisions are guided by his desire for land/money/power/change.
They expressed a desire to go with us.
They have a desire to have children.
a strong/burning/aching desire to travel around the world
2
: a feeling of wanting to have sex with someone
He had/felt a strong (sexual) desire for her.
He was overcome with desire for her.
3
: someone or something that you want or wish for
—usually singular
He worried that he might never achieve his desire. [=might never do the thing that he wanted to do]
A good education had always been her heart's desire. [=something she wanted very much]
"You are my heart's desire," he told her.
Cite this Entry
“Desire.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/desire. Accessed 21 Jul. 2026.
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