desire

noun

OPAL W

/dɪˈzaɪə(r)/

/dɪˈzaɪər/

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[countable] a strong wish to have or do something
- He now had enough money to satisfy all his desires.
- desire for something a strong desire for power/revenge
- desire to do something She has a burning desire to be an artist.
- (formal) I have no desire (= I do not want) to discuss the matter further.
- He has expressed a desire to see you.
- (formal) desire that… his father's desire that he become a lawyer
Extra Examples
- He is filled with conflicting desires.
- He suppressed the desire to run from the room.
- His actions reflect his desire to fit in.
- His childhood had created a desire for stability in his life.
- Horses need to satisfy their desire for space and freedom.
- I suddenly felt an overwhelming desire to laugh
- Most children have an insatiable desire for knowledge.
- She confessed a secret desire to be famous.
- The chairman expressed his desire to expand the company.
- The human desire for answers is very great.
- The search for a better life is one of the most basic desires of human beings.
- There's a growing desire among consumers for more organic products.
- They were motivated by a deep desire for money and fame.
- This was all Liam needed to fuel his desire for revenge.
- a long-lasting relationship based on our mutual desire for peace
- She felt an overwhelming desire to return home.
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
adjective
- burning
- deep
- fervent
- …
verb + desire
- feel
- harbour/harbor
- have
- …
preposition
- desire for
phrases
- an object of desire
See full entry
[uncountable, countable] a strong wish to have sex with somebody
- sexual desire
- desire for somebody She felt a surge of love and desire for him.
Topics Feelingsb2
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
adjective
- burning
- deep
- fervent
- …
verb + desire
- feel
- harbour/harbor
- have
- …
preposition
- desire for
phrases
- an object of desire
See full entry
[countable, usually singular] a person or thing that is wished for
- When she agreed to marry him, he felt he had achieved his heart's desire.

Word OriginMiddle English: from Old French desir (noun), desirer (verb), from Latin desiderare, perhaps from de- ‘down’ + sidus, sider- ‘star’.

desire

verb

OPAL W

/dɪˈzaɪə(r)/

/dɪˈzaɪər/

not used in the progressive tenses

Verb Forms

present simple I / you / we / they desire	/dɪˈzaɪə(r)/ /dɪˈzaɪər/
he / she / it desires	/dɪˈzaɪəz/ /dɪˈzaɪərz/
past simple desired	/dɪˈzaɪəd/ /dɪˈzaɪərd/
past participle desired	/dɪˈzaɪəd/ /dɪˈzaɪərd/
-ing form desiring	/dɪˈzaɪərɪŋ/ /dɪˈzaɪərɪŋ/

Idioms

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(formal) to want something; to wish for something
- desire something We all desire health and happiness.
- The house had everything you could desire.
- The dessert can be topped with cream, if desired (= if you like).
- The medicine did not achieve the desired effect.
- desire to do something Fewer people desire to live in the north of the country.
- desire somebody to do something She desired him to leave her alone.
Extra Examples
- A home of her own was something she had always very much desired.
- Most countries sincerely desired peace.
- We all need and desire to find our place in society.
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
adverb
- greatly
- really
- truly
- …
See full entry
desire somebody to be sexually attracted to somebody
- He still desired her.
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
adverb
- greatly
- really
- truly
- …
See full entry

Word OriginMiddle English: from Old French desir (noun), desirer (verb), from Latin desiderare, perhaps from de- ‘down’ + sidus, sider- ‘star’.

Idioms

leave a lot, much, something, etc. to be desired

to be bad or unacceptable
- The service in the restaurant left a lot to be desired.