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desire

desire

1.6
A strong wish to have or experience something
  • noun
  • /dɪˈzaɪər/
translation icon : deseo
  • Her desire to travel the world inspired her to save money for several years.
  • strong desire
  • express a desire
  • desire to succeed

The point is you can't match his sexual desire to him.

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Examples

  • Few people have the time or desire to walk such extreme lengths.

  • It seems to be a desire that is quite universal.

  • No OK, do you have any desire to move to London?

  • It's about having the desire to become better.

  • When you feel the desire to judge yourself, let it go.

  • Not the desire to do good, but the desire to avoid some evil.

  • Several years ago, it was her desire to better the lives of her children.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Before we take a break, does anyone have a burning desire?

  • People have an innate desire to accomplish things.

  • I have had coaching clients who have had the desire to be coached.

Synonyms

hope
vsdesire
1.0

A feeling that something good will happen

is a strong wanting rather than being about expectation for the future
wish
vsdesire
474 1.0

A hope for something to happen or be true

is an internal strong feeling rather than a polite request or simple hope
ambition
vsdesire
310 2.8

A strong wish to achieve something important to you

is a general strong feeling that is not specifically about success or goals
temptation
vsdesire
192 3.8

A strong wish to do something, often something you should not do

is a strong wanting that does not imply doing wrong or acting unwisely
drive
vsdesire
190 3.4

A strong desire or energy to do something

is a strong feeling that does not necessarily create persistent motivation or action
aspiration
vsdesire
110 4.2

A strong wish to reach an important goal

is the general strong feeling not always focused on achievement or goals
craving
vsdesire
78 3.7

A very strong desire for things like food or cigarettes

is less urgent and not necessarily focused on immediate need
longing
vsdesire
69 4.2

A strong wish for someone or something you cannot have

is a general strong wish that does not focus on being impossible to obtain
itch
vsdesire
  • Informal
31 4.2

A strong desire to do or have something

is a strong feeling that may not be restless or urgent in nature
want
vsdesire
27 1.0

A strong desire for something you wish to have

is a stronger, more intense feeling than this simpler needing or wishing
hankering
vsdesire
11 6.6

A strong wish to have or do something

is a stronger, more intense feeling than the mild, nostalgic urge
yearning
vsdesire
8 5.5

A strong, lasting wish for something you want but cannot get

is a strong wanting that may not be persistent or aimed at the impossible
appetency
vsdesire
9.9

A strong wish to have or try something

is the everyday feeling rather than a formal philosophical concept
appetence
vsdesire
9.9

A strong desire to have or do something

is the common, everyday feeling rather than a technical label
appetition
vsdesire
  • Archaic
9.9

A strong wish to have or achieve something

is the ordinary wanting feeling rather than an abstract seeking impulse
thirstiness
vsdesire
3.5

A strong desire for things like knowledge or success

is the broad strong wish not limited to intangible ambitions or achievements
hungriness
vsdesire
5.9

A strong desire to get or achieve something

is a strong feeling that is not necessarily as urgent or intense in nature

Antonyms

31 6.5

A strong dislike of something or someone

5 5.8

Not feeling interested in something, like a talk or task

Compounds

9 3.8

A strong wish to have sex with another person

A strong wish to learn new things about the world

How Strong

obsession
262 5.1
craving
78 3.7
yearning
8 5.5
desire
1.6
want
27 1.0
wish
474 1.0
interest
1.0

Surface Forms

desire singular
desires plural

Etymology

Desire comes from the Latin desiderare, which is linked to sidus meaning 'star'. People once thought of longing like 'wishing on a star', so a desire is a strong wish or longing.