Definitions for desire
dɪˈzaɪərde·sire

Princeton's WordNet(3.40 / 5 votes)Rate this definition:

1. desire(noun)

   the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state

2. desire(noun)

   an inclination to want things

   "a man of many desires"

3. desire(verb)

   something that is desired

4. desire, want(verb)

   feel or have a desire for; want strongly

   "I want to go home now"; "I want my own room"

5. hope, trust, desire(verb)

   expect and wish

   "I trust you will behave better from now on"; "I hope she understands that she cannot expect a raise"

6. desire(verb)

   express a desire for

Wiktionary(3.50 / 4 votes)Rate this definition:

1. desire(Noun)

   Someone or something wished for.

   Etymology: From desiren, from desirrer, from desidero, apparently, from de- + sidus (see sidereal), but the connection of thought is not clear (perhaps "to wish (down) from the stars"?); compare consider. Compare also desiderate.

2. desire(Noun)

   Strong attraction, particularly romantic or sexual.

   His desire for her kept him awake at night.

   Etymology: From desiren, from desirrer, from desidero, apparently, from de- + sidus (see sidereal), but the connection of thought is not clear (perhaps "to wish (down) from the stars"?); compare consider. Compare also desiderate.

3. desire(Noun)

   The feeling of desire.

   Too much desire can seriously affect one's judgment.

   Etymology: From desiren, from desirrer, from desidero, apparently, from de- + sidus (see sidereal), but the connection of thought is not clear (perhaps "to wish (down) from the stars"?); compare consider. Compare also desiderate.

4. desire(Verb)

   More formal or stronger word for want.

   I desire to speak with you.

   Etymology: From desiren, from desirrer, from desidero, apparently, from de- + sidus (see sidereal), but the connection of thought is not clear (perhaps "to wish (down) from the stars"?); compare consider. Compare also desiderate.

5. desire(Verb)

   To put a request to (someone); to entreat.

   Etymology: From desiren, from desirrer, from desidero, apparently, from de- + sidus (see sidereal), but the connection of thought is not clear (perhaps "to wish (down) from the stars"?); compare consider. Compare also desiderate.

6. desire(Verb)

   Another word for want, connoting emotion.

   She has been desiring him since they first met.

   Etymology: From desiren, from desirrer, from desidero, apparently, from de- + sidus (see sidereal), but the connection of thought is not clear (perhaps "to wish (down) from the stars"?); compare consider. Compare also desiderate.

Webster Dictionary(5.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. Desire(verb)

   to long for; to wish for earnestly; to covet

2. Desire(verb)

   to express a wish for; to entreat; to request

3. Desire(verb)

   to require; to demand; to claim

4. Desire(verb)

   to miss; to regret

5. Desire(verb)

   the natural longing that is excited by the enjoyment or the thought of any good, and impels to action or effort its continuance or possession; an eager wish to obtain or enjoy

6. Desire(verb)

   an expressed wish; a request; petition

7. Desire(verb)

   anything which is desired; an object of longing

8. Desire(verb)

   excessive or morbid longing; lust; appetite

9. Desire(verb)

   grief; regret

Freebase(5.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. Desire

   "Desire" is a song by U2 and the third track on their 1988 album, Rattle and Hum. Released as the album's lead single, "Desire" was the band's first number-one single in the UK and Australia. It reached number three on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US, and topped both the Modern and Mainstream Rock Tracks charts, the first song to reach the top of both of these charts simultaneously. It reached number two on the Dutch Top 40. In 1989, "Desire" won the Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Desire

   de-zīr′, v.t. to long for the possession of: to wish for: to request, ask: (B.) to regret.—v.i. to be in a state of desire.—n. an earnest longing for: eagerness to obtain: a prayer or request: the object desired: lust.—adj. Desir′able, worthy of desire: pleasing: agreeable.—ns. Desir′ableness, Desirabil′ity.—adv. Desir′ably.—adj. Desire′less.—n. Desir′er.—adj. Desir′ous, full of desire: anxious to obtain: eager.—adv. Desir′ously.—n. Desir′ousness. [Fr. désirer—L. desiderāre. See Desiderate.]

Editors Contribution(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. desire

   An intuitive feeling.

   It was always her desire to form a unity government as people working together for the good and benefit of all is the most intuitive and just outcome.

   Submitted by MaryC on February 15, 2020  

Suggested Resources(5.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. desire

   Song lyrics by desire -- Explore a large variety of song lyrics performed by desire on the Lyrics.com website.

British National Corpus

1. Spoken Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'desire' in Spoken Corpus Frequency: #2010

2. Written Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'desire' in Written Corpus Frequency: #4695

3. Nouns Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'desire' in Nouns Frequency: #805

4. Verbs Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'desire' in Verbs Frequency: #887

Anagrams for desire »

1. reside

2. eiders

How to pronounce desire?

1. Alex

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

How to say desire in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of desire in Chaldean Numerology is: 2

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of desire in Pythagorean Numerology is: 6

Examples of desire in a Sentence

1. RAMANA PEMMARAJU:

   You will get when you deserve, not when you desire! So Accept Life and Live in the NOW!

2. Attorney Davidson:

   Stephanie Clifford stated Stephanie Clifford desire to' increase Stephanie Clifford public exposure and thus Stephanie Clifford earning capacity.

3. Charles Augustin Sainte-Beauve:

   Vigny, more secretAs if in his tower of ivory, retired before noon.N.B. Vigny refers to Comte de Vigny, who locked himself in an ivory tower to work without the influences of man and desire.

4. Marie Yovanovitch:

   Thus, perhaps, it was not surprising, that when our anti-corruption efforts got in the way of a desire for profit or power, Ukrainians who preferred to play by the old, corrupt rules sought to remove me. What continues to amaze me is that they found Americans willing to partner with them and, working together, they apparently succeeded in orchestrating the removal of a U.S. ambassador.

5. RAS CARDO REGGAE:

   **(C)(P) SOMETIMES BEING TOO CLOSE TO THE GOALS WE SEEK IN LIFE CAUSES US TO HAVE LESS A DESIRE TO ENJOY THE TRUE IMPORTANCE AND SIGNIFICANCE OF LIFE ITSELF. eg. MOST PEOPLE LIVING CLOSE TO THE NIAGARA FALLS SEEM TO VISIT IT LESS, BUT WILL QUICKLY CARRY SOME VISITOR TO SEE IT.

Images & Illustrations of desire

Popularity rank by frequency of use