Desire
noun
A strong want or wish for something.
She had a desire to see the world.
Often appears as...
- heart's desire
- burning desire
verb
To wish or want something.
She desires to become a teacher.
Often appears as...
- desire for something
- desire to do something
Usage tips
Formal
noun
A physical or sexual want or feeling.
He felt a strong desire towards her.
Often appears as...
- romantic desire
- sexual desire
noun
A person that somebody wants to have sexually.
He has been her desire since high school.
Often appears as...
- object of desire
- secret desire
Usage tips
Informal, DIsapproving
verb
To express a wish for something to happen.
The council desires a meeting to discuss the issue.
Often appears as...
- desire a change
- desire an outcome
Usage tips
Formal
Academic
noun
A strong want or wish for something.
She had a desire to see the world.
Often appears as...
- heart's desire
- burning desire
verb
To wish or want something.
She desires to become a teacher.
Often appears as...
- desire for something
- desire to do something
Usage tips
Formal
noun
A physical or sexual want or feeling.
He felt a strong desire towards her.
Often appears as...
- romantic desire
- sexual desire
noun
A person that somebody wants to have sexually.
He has been her desire since high school.
Often appears as...
- object of desire
- secret desire
Usage tips
Informal, DIsapproving
verb
To express a wish for something to happen.
The council desires a meeting to discuss the issue.
Often appears as...
- desire a change
- desire an outcome
Usage tips
Formal
Academic
Definition 1 of 5
Pro Tip 1/2Intensity of Wish
Desire often implies a stronger feeling than a simple wish or want.
Her desire to start her own business was unstoppable.
Pro Tip 2/2Emotional Force
Use 'desire' to express deep emotional wishes that drive someone's actions.
He pursued his desire for knowledge throughout his life.
Pro Tip 1/2Intensity of Wish
Desire often implies a stronger feeling than a simple wish or want.
Her desire to start her own business was unstoppable.
Pro Tip 2/2Emotional Force
Use 'desire' to express deep emotional wishes that drive someone's actions.
He pursued his desire for knowledge throughout his life.
Pro Tip 1/2Intensity of Wish
Desire often implies a stronger feeling than a simple wish or want.
Her desire to start her own business was unstoppable.
Pro Tip 2/2Emotional Force
Use 'desire' to express deep emotional wishes that drive someone's actions.
He pursued his desire for knowledge throughout his life.
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Video examples
Everything you need to...
And many of the problems faced by humans in the poems are caused by their hubris, or excessive pride in believing themselves superior to the gods. The desire to please the gods was so great that the Ancient Greeks traditionally welcomed all strangers into their homes with generosity
Video examples
Why are there so many...
but because of the way traits are inherited, all of the seedlings produced will have different sets of genes and characteristics. This means that to achieve a desired quality, it takes a lot of offspring, not to mention patience on the breeder's part.
Video examples
Could we actually live...
here are some of the things you'll need to bring to The Red a high tolerance for cold, loneliness, and radiation; a lifetime supply of breathable air and food; a multibillion dollar spaceship; a desire to just get away from it all; and water.
Video examples
Why do we love? A...
we love in order to quench our physical and psychological desires. Humans are designed to procreate, but without the ecstasy of passionate love, sex is unsatisfying. Our fear of the cold, cruel world tempts us to build hard shells
Video examples
How the Mojave Desert...
Exploration is a compulsory human trait. We're the only animal on the planet driven so deeply by curiosity. From the surface of the Earth, the ocean floor, to space. Humans have an insatiable desire for adventure and exploration.
Video examples
How false news can...
Recent advances in communication technology have had immeasurable benefits in breaking down the barriers between information and people. But our desire for quick answers may overpower the desire to be certain of their validity.
Video examples
Rethinking infidelity...
desire for attention, desire to feel special, desire to feel important. And the very structure of an affair, the fact that you can never have your lover, keeps you wanting. That in itself is a desire machine,
Video examples
Why do people join...
And in many cases, members may willingly submit out of desire to belong and to attain the promised rewards. The cult environment discourages critical thinking, making it hard to voice doubts
Video examples
A message from the next...
hungry child cannot think about anything other than the desire to eat another of my worries is more war and rivalry look at the world around us people are becoming so angry and
Video examples
Best Monkey Moments PIPE...
but most important for the crested black macaque is to learn their code of etiquette lip smacking is a request for a hug showing a desire to be friends
Video examples
Everything you need to...
And many of the problems faced by humans in the poems are caused by their hubris, or excessive pride in believing themselves superior to the gods. The desire to please the gods was so great that the Ancient Greeks traditionally welcomed all strangers into their homes with generosity
Video examples
Why are there so many...
but because of the way traits are inherited, all of the seedlings produced will have different sets of genes and characteristics. This means that to achieve a desired quality, it takes a lot of offspring, not to mention patience on the breeder's part.
Video examples
Could we actually live...
here are some of the things you'll need to bring to The Red a high tolerance for cold, loneliness, and radiation; a lifetime supply of breathable air and food; a multibillion dollar spaceship; a desire to just get away from it all; and water.
Video examples
Why do we love? A...
we love in order to quench our physical and psychological desires. Humans are designed to procreate, but without the ecstasy of passionate love, sex is unsatisfying. Our fear of the cold, cruel world tempts us to build hard shells
Video examples
How the Mojave Desert...
Exploration is a compulsory human trait. We're the only animal on the planet driven so deeply by curiosity. From the surface of the Earth, the ocean floor, to space. Humans have an insatiable desire for adventure and exploration.
Video examples
How false news can...
Recent advances in communication technology have had immeasurable benefits in breaking down the barriers between information and people. But our desire for quick answers may overpower the desire to be certain of their validity.
Video examples
Rethinking infidelity...
desire for attention, desire to feel special, desire to feel important. And the very structure of an affair, the fact that you can never have your lover, keeps you wanting. That in itself is a desire machine,
Video examples
Why do people join...
And in many cases, members may willingly submit out of desire to belong and to attain the promised rewards. The cult environment discourages critical thinking, making it hard to voice doubts
Video examples
A message from the next...
hungry child cannot think about anything other than the desire to eat another of my worries is more war and rivalry look at the world around us people are becoming so angry and
Video examples
Best Monkey Moments PIPE...
but most important for the crested black macaque is to learn their code of etiquette lip smacking is a request for a hug showing a desire to be friends
Example 1 of 10
Quote examples
Ava DuVernay
American Director
I made my first film when I was 35, so I firmly believe that you don't have to be one thing in life. If you're doing something, and you have a desire to do something different, give it a try.
Quote examples
Thomas Merton
American Author
A life is either all spiritual or not spiritual at all. No man can serve two masters. Your life is shaped by the end you live for. You are made in the image of what you desire.
Quote examples
Lou Holtz
American Coach
If you're bored with life - you don't get up every morning with a burning desire to do things - you don't have enough goals.
Quote examples
E. O. Wilson
American Scientist
If history and science have taught us anything, it is that passion and desire are not the same as truth.
Quote examples
Jiddu Krishnamurti
Indian Philosopher
Listening has importance only when one is not projecting one's own desires through which one listens.
Quote examples
Simon Sinek
English Author
The most basic human desire is to feel like you belong. Fitting in is important.
Quote examples
Wayne Dyer
American Psychologist
Everything is perfect in the universe - even your desire to improve it.
Quote examples
Charlie Chaplin
English Actor
What do you want a meaning for? Life is a desire, not a meaning.
Quote examples
Marilyn Monroe
American Actress
It is wonderful to have someone praise you, to be desired.
Quote examples
Socrates
Greek Philosopher
From the deepest desires often come the deadliest hate.
Quote examples
Ava DuVernay
American Director
I made my first film when I was 35, so I firmly believe that you don't have to be one thing in life. If you're doing something, and you have a desire to do something different, give it a try.
Quote examples
Thomas Merton
American Author
A life is either all spiritual or not spiritual at all. No man can serve two masters. Your life is shaped by the end you live for. You are made in the image of what you desire.
Quote examples
Lou Holtz
American Coach
If you're bored with life - you don't get up every morning with a burning desire to do things - you don't have enough goals.
Quote examples
E. O. Wilson
American Scientist
If history and science have taught us anything, it is that passion and desire are not the same as truth.
Quote examples
Jiddu Krishnamurti
Indian Philosopher
Listening has importance only when one is not projecting one's own desires through which one listens.
Quote examples
Simon Sinek
English Author
The most basic human desire is to feel like you belong. Fitting in is important.
Quote examples
Wayne Dyer
American Psychologist
Everything is perfect in the universe - even your desire to improve it.
Quote examples
Charlie Chaplin
English Actor
What do you want a meaning for? Life is a desire, not a meaning.
Quote examples
Marilyn Monroe
American Actress
It is wonderful to have someone praise you, to be desired.
Quote examples
Socrates
Greek Philosopher
From the deepest desires often come the deadliest hate.
Example 1 of 10
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