desire1 noundesire2 verb
desirede‧sire1 /dɪˈzaɪə $ -ˈzaɪr/ ●●● W2 noun 
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- After so many years of war, there was a great desire for peace.
- As she held him close she was filled with desire.
- The smell of her perfume was enough to awaken his desire for her.
- When she was drunk she could hardly contain her sexual desires.
- Young children have a keen desire to learn and succeed.
- Young Peryoux left home for Paris, armed with a guitar, and a burning desire to succeed.
- Business leaders are driven by the profit motive; government leaders are driven by the desire to get reelected.
- But rather than sating desires, it seemed to fuel them toward even more escalation.
- Concomitant with the obsession with dirt was a desire for order.
- People have a strong desire for personal independence.
- The urgency of desire surprised him.
- To say nothing of the desires of the client.
Longman Language Activatorsomeone's sexual feelings, needs, or behaviour
relating to sexual feelings or behaviour: · Dr Ruth offers advice on sexual problems.· It's important to take your partner's sexual needs into consideration.· He had to admit that his feelings for her were mostly sexual.
someone's sexual feelings or needs, that are part of their basic character: · Teenagers are often confused about their sexuality, for example whether they are gay or straight.female/male sexuality: · She has written a fascinating book on female sexuality.somebody's sexuality: · Gradually he came to understand and accept his own sexuality.
someone's desire to have sex - use this especially to talk about how strong or weak this is: · These drugs may affect your sex drive.· For many men, having a powerful sex drive is essential to their confidence.
a very strong feeling of wanting to have sex with someone, because you think they are very beautiful or sexually attractive - used especially in literature: · As she held him close she was filled with desire.· When she was drunk she could hardly contain her sexual desires.desire for: · The smell of her perfume was enough to awaken his desire for her.
a very strong feeling of wanting to have sex with someone - use this when you are showing that someone's feeling is only physical and does not involve love: · These were not feelings of love but of lust, pure and simple.· He was a man possessed by greed, jealousy and lust.
someone's need to have sex - use this especially in medical contexts: · Drinking too much often results in a loss of libido.· Most doctors agree that a suppressed libido is often associated with emotional and psychological problems.
a feeling that you want to do or have something especially written a strong feeling of wanting to have something or wanting to do something, especially something important, which makes you try very hard to have it or do it: desire to do something: · Young children have a keen desire to learn and succeed.desire for: · After so many years of war, there was a great desire for peace.a strong/keen/burning desire: · Young Peryoux left home for Paris, armed with a guitar, and a burning desire to succeed.
formal something that you want to happen, especially when this is very important to you: · His last wish was that his body should be buried in his home town.somebody's dearest/greatest wish (=the thing they want most of all): · She always wanted to see her grandchildren again - it was her dearest wish.
a very strong and long-lasting desire for something that you are unlikely to get - used especially in stories and literature: longing/yearning for: · She felt a great longing for the sights, sounds and smells of home.· The story gives a sensitive account of Paul's innocent yearning for love and affection.longing/yearning to do something: · At 18 I had a strong yearning to leave my small town, and see the world.
a very strong and uncontrollable desire to have something that you think about all the time, especially food, attention, or a drug: · After a week without smoking, the craving began to disappear.craving for: · The symptoms include a craving for sweet foods.
a very strong desire to have something, such as money or power, that can make you do evil things to get what you want: lust for: · Throughout his career he was motivated by a lust for power.· Her lust for money is insatiable.
a strong desire to have something regularly or do something regularly: appetite for: · He has a tremendous appetite for hard work.insatiable appetite (=extremely strong appetite): · The public has an insatiable appetite for scandal and political controversy.whet somebody's appetite (=make it stronger): · The dangers of the climb up Mt. Washington only whetted our appetite for more adventure.
a strong desire to do something, even though you know it is wrong, dangerous, unnecessary etc: temptation to do something: · There is always a temptation to blame others for your own problems.resist the temptation (=not do something, even though you want to): · Resist the temptation to get involved. After all, it's not your problem.give in to temptation (=to do something, after trying not to): · In the end, he gave in to temptation, and lit his first cigarette in five days.
an extremely strong desire, usually an unreasonable one, that is difficult or impossible to control: · The patient had a compulsion that caused him to wash his hands 20 or 30 times a day.compulsion to do something: · He felt a sudden compulsion to laugh out loud.
to not want to do or have something: not want to do something · She doesn't want to see me anymore.· We asked him to come with us, but he said he didn't want to.not want somebody to do something · "Why didn't he tell me he was sick?" "He didn't want you to worry."
especially spoken to not want to do something, especially because you think you would not enjoy it or because you feel too lazy: · I don't feel like writing that essay today.· Some days she just doesn't feel like going to work.
spoken say this when you do not want to do something, especially because you think it may cause problems for you: · I could lend him the money, but to be honest, I'd rather not.I'd rather not do something: · I'd rather not talk about it right now.
formal to not want to do something, even though you should do it or someone wants you to do it: · She is unwilling to admit that she was wrong.· Most people here are unwilling to give up their cars and use buses and trains instead.
informal you say that someone is welcome to something when you do not like it and you are happy for them to have it instead of you: · She's welcome to her smart friends and glittering parties -- I'll take the quiet life anytime.· He can keep his money -- he's not going to bribe me!
formal to not want to do something, especially something that you are being asked or forced to do: · Sarah had been to Harlow before, and had no desire to go there again.· Richards tried to enlist my support, but I had no desire to get involved.
spoken use this to say strongly that you really do not want to do something that someone has suggested or mentioned: · Apologize to that creep! I'd rather die!
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRYadjectives
an earnest desire to offer something useful to society The reforms are motivated by a genuine concern for the disabled. a genuine fear of invasion his insatiable appetite for power our insatiable thirst for knowledge As a policy, it did not produce the desired effect. an unconscious need to be lovedCOLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE
· His one great desire in life was to own a Mercedes.· The desire was too strong to resist.
(=so strong that it takes control of you)· He felt an overwhelming desire for a cigarette.
(=very great)· The people of the village had a deep desire for revenge.
· All her life she had a genuine desire to help the poor.
· Kids have a natural desire to find out about new things.
(=an extremely strong desire)· She had a burning desire to pack her case and leave.
(=a desire that cannot be satisfied)· She had an insatiable desire for publicity.
verbs· Milly had a sudden strong desire to laugh.
· Many political leaders have expressed their desire for peace.
(also indicate a desire formal)· He had shown no desire to get involved in the project.
· Companies aim to satisfy people's desire for variety.
phrases (=used to emphasize that you do not want to do something)· It was raining outside and I had no desire to go out.
(=someone or something you want very much)· The store provides cheese lovers with the object of their desire.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES an earnest desire to offer something useful to society (=the effect you want)· His team talk had the desired effect because the team went on to win the game.
(=say what you hope or want to happen)· Nadia expressed her hopes about remaining in San Diego County with her two children.
(=things such as drinking, eating a lot, or having sex)
The reforms are motivated by a genuine concern for the disabled. a genuine fear of invasion his insatiable appetite for power our insatiable thirst for knowledge· Fred felt an intense desire to punch Max in the face.
· The desired outcome of most services is a satisfied customer.
As a policy, it did not produce the desired effect.· These severe measures did not always produce the desired results.
· It is difficult to satisfy a desire for power.
· People have a strong desire for personal independence.
an unconscious need to be loved· Silent viewing also generates a genuine desire to communicate within the group.· His genuine desire to make up may be interpreted as an attempt to embarrass or be-little.· Some may choose to work with vulnerable elderly people out of altruism, and a genuine desire to work with this age group.· As others may have different theories a genuine desire to prove a point of view leads to some lively debate.· The election's last-minute switch to Labour probably reflected a genuine desire on some voters' part to get the Tories out.· Of course it is necessary for the prospective student to possess a reasonable amount of intelligence as well as a genuine desire to help others.· No you won't, not if it's a genuine desire to help.
· I was extremely competitive and had a great desire to win.· But however great their desire, the path to arms control and detente was strewn with unanticipated obstacles.· Some breeds show a much greater desire to enter water than others, with retrievers tending to be especially keen.· They wept, so great was their desire to stay, tasting for ever the honey-sweet flowers.· You feel protected and at rest and you have a great desire for solitude.· I feel no need, nor great desire.· A great desire to stand and cry descended on her.· It is sustained by the greater desire of men to perform it and by their greater aptitude for competition.
· His insatiable curiosity and desire for experiment had led to his election as a Fellow of the Royal Society.· Whatever the financial climate, there still seemed an insatiable desire to build more office space, rentable or not.· The observer has an insatiable desire for abstract knowledge.
· In managing very strong desires and impulses the child has his relationship with his parents as a resource.· People have a strong desire for personal independence.· Cassie experienced a strong desire to own them.· Most men, particularly when young, have a strong desire to follow and emulate such leaders.· I had a strong desire to repossess.· Everyone expressed a strong desire to work together with you.· Their willingness to do so indicated a strong desire to participate in training.· On the first day, the woman, whose name was Fania, had expressed a strong desire to learn to read.
· In Western society, adults may play with money as an acceptable substitute for the unconscious desire to play with faeces.· In practice, of course, it would be extremely hard to establish any such unconscious desires in the complainant.· Another contributing aspect of enjoying school in my opinion is an unconscious desire to learn.
VERB· In conclusion, I fully endorse your desire to avoid confrontational behaviour surrounding international rugby.· Civilian imaging of Earth was limited by the desire to avoid Soviet accusations of espionage.· The perfectionist, as we saw, tries to do things perfectly because of his or her compulsive desire to avoid showing anger.· In his desire to avoid conflict -- even when something is eating him up -- he will say nothing at all.· And it was not necessarily praiseworthy to kowtow to the government's desire to avoid legislation.· In such a case, his reaction is simply a desire to avoid your postal avalanche.
· They say it expresses women's impotent desire.· They do not engage in conversation, nor do their faces express a desire to.· Members from both sections have expressed a desire to hold a disco in the Village Hall.· Everyone expressed a strong desire to work together with you.· As for Longhouser, he was separated from his wife and expressing normal desires.· On the first day, the woman, whose name was Fania, had expressed a strong desire to learn to read.· Governors and departmental assemblies expressed their desire to support the national government.· In contrast, only about 6 percent of high school seniors express a desire to become managers or technicians.
· Love flared through her, she felt desire and sadness too because she knew this was a fleeting moment.· They consider that they think out their problems, but it is feeling or desire which really rules their conduct.· If such conformity had not existed, artists would not have felt such desire to break out from it.· And since that movement, that rejection, Alix had felt her own desire diminish.· I feel no desire to kill this strategically disadvantaged animal, but I have an inspiration.· It's not that we don't feel desire.· Slapped, she got angry; caressed, she felt desire, and swallowed.
· The pact was ostensibly motivated by a desire to eradicate political dynasties and corruption in favour of political renovation and democratic change.· In other words, behavior is generally motivated by a desire to attain some goal.· All that is motivated by their desire to compete against rugby league.· What motivated my desire to write about the homeless from the position of that doorway was a woman named Gerri Willinger.· It may well be that, throughout our careers we are motivated by the desire to satisfy different needs. 2.· Hubbell was motivated by a desire to protect the Clintons, the senators suggested.· If we are at the bottom of the organisation we may be motivated by the desire to satisfy physiological needs.· He is strongly motivated by a desire for the collection never to be split up again.
· Those protests reflected popular desires for democracy, but Mr Gbagbo has proved a disappointment to those awaiting a new era.· It reflects individual tastes, desires, emotions, feelings and lifestyles.· Her licentiousness was entirely passive, reflecting not her own desires but those of the man she was with.· She is denied the economy of representation that would reflect feminine desire and sexuality.· The music played in those distant times did not reflect a desire to create melody, far from it.· The election's last-minute switch to Labour probably reflected a genuine desire on some voters' part to get the Tories out.· However, it also reflects the desire of government to cut back on spending initiatives.· A proper job has eluded me, but I think this reflects my desire to experience different things.
· But they can never satisfy desire.· The urgency of desire is a function of the quantity of goods which the individual has available to satisfy that desire.· The plan aims to satisfy Mr Blunkett's desire for increased flexibility at key stage 4.· Both sides are hinting about innovative arrangements for Jerusalem that satisfy their desire to claim the holy city as their capital.· Unlike many other goals, it is difficult to satisfy a strong desire for power.· They have satisfied all physical desire, but still can not bear to be parted.· Detractors then and now thought it was designed to satisfy the lustful desires of the lusty prophet.
PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► be burning with rage/desire etc► your heart’s desire/everything your heart could desire► be seized with/by terror/desire etc► slake a desire/craving etc
- Both books, written out of what had gradually become a burning ambition, were however nothing more than starters.
- Bruce was a short, stocky man with red hair and a burning ambition.
- But they didn't reckon with her burning ambition to win a third time.
- His own unashamed, burning ambition is' to make money.
- I just have never had a burning desire to practice law.
- It hadn't been an easy task, and in spite of his burning ambition and will to succeed.
- The second time, it was a passion, a burning desire.
- You see, she had this burning ambition to succeed on the stage.
- And it was from these experiments that Work place 2000 emerged as the response to a compelling need for change.
- Most women with bulimia, particularly those with a history of anorexia, have a compelling desire to be thinner.
- Such freedoms can be abridged only if the state shows it has a compelling need to do so.
- Suddenly I had a compelling urge to look at Wilkerson.
- She felt a flame of anger flicker and grow.
- Bob's idea of a balanced diet left something to be desired.
- His treatment of capital and profits left much to be desired.
- On the campaign trail, his oratorical skills have left much to be desired.
- On theoretical grounds, however, it leaves much to be desired.
- The quality of research in the area of child abuse still leaves much to be desired.
- To some degree they have been hampered by courses of study and lesson plans thai leave something to be desired.
- While the woodwind and low strings were reasonably well replicated, the violins, timpani and brass left much to be desired.
- Yet, as a match, it left something to be desired.
- A spendthrift with a regular, secure income is an object of desire among bankers.
- Because of this, a household obliged to sponsor many feasts gains no prestige, but becomes rather an object of pity.
- He left Downing Street in 1963 almost an object of ridicule, condemned in Gibbonian terms as the symbol of national decay.
- Mitch's image alone does not make clear that he will be mocked rather than taken seriously as an object of desire.
- She became an object of ridicule.
- Unfortunately Piggy had been demoted to an object of ridicule by this point in the book so nobody listened to him.
- Yet he is held up as an object of ridicule and loathing throughout the land.
WORD FAMILYnoundesirabilitydesireadjectivedesirable ≠ undesirabledesired ≠ undesiredverbdesireadverbdesirably
1[countable, uncountable] a strong hope or wishdesire to do something a strong desire to windesire for a desire for knowledgedesire that It was Harold’s desire that he should be buried next to his wife.express/show a desire She expressed a desire to visit us.have no desire to do something (=used to emphasize that you do not want to do something) I have no desire to cause any trouble.overwhelming/burning desire (=very strong desire) Paul had a burning desire to visit India.2[uncountable] formal a strong wish to have sex with someone: female sexual desiredesire for He tried to hide his desire for her. → your heart’s desire at heart1(24)COLLOCATIONSadjectivesgreat/strong· His one great desire in life was to own a Mercedes.· The desire was too strong to resist.overwhelming (=so strong that it takes control of you)· He felt an overwhelming desire for a cigarette.deep/fierce (=very great)· The people of the village had a deep desire for revenge.a genuine/real desire· All her life she had a genuine desire to help the poor.a natural desire· Kids have a natural desire to find out about new things.a burning desire (=an extremely strong desire)· She had a burning desire to pack her case and leave.an insatiable desire (=a desire that cannot be satisfied)· She had an insatiable desire for publicity.verbshave a desire· Milly had a sudden strong desire to laugh.express a desire· Many political leaders have expressed their desire for peace.show a desire (also indicate a desire formal)· He had shown no desire to get involved in the project.satisfy/fulfil a desire· Companies aim to satisfy people's desire for variety.phraseshave no desire to do something (=used to emphasize that you do not want to do something)· It was raining outside and I had no desire to go out.an object of desire (=someone or something you want very much)· The store provides cheese lovers with the object of their desire.desire1 noundesire2 verb
desiredesire2 ●●○ verb [transitive] WORD ORIGINdesire2
Origin:
1200-1300 Old French desirer, from Latin desiderare, from sidus ‘star’ (perhaps from the idea of ‘wishing on a star’)VERB TABLE
desire
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | desire |
| he, she, it | desires | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | desired |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have desired |
| he, she, it | has desired | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had desired |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will desire |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have desired |
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- I think the Israelis as a people desire peace.
- No longer did I desire conventions of little nymphets, each one wearing playboy's plastic name badge.
- Taste and add a little sugar or artificial sweetener, if desired.
- This insight taught me something about the enormous power that is generated by desiring something very much.
- This is the first and perhaps the last time that I shall desire it.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY The hotel has everything you could possibly desire. Add lemon juice if desired. His remarks had the desired effect.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES an earnest desire to offer something useful to society The reforms are motivated by a genuine concern for the disabled. a genuine fear of invasion his insatiable appetite for power our insatiable thirst for knowledge As a policy, it did not produce the desired effect. an unconscious need to be lovedCOLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB
The hotel has everything you could possibly desire. Add lemon juice if desired. His remarks had the desired effect. an earnest desire to offer something useful to society (=the effect you want)· His team talk had the desired effect because the team went on to win the game.
(=say what you hope or want to happen)· Nadia expressed her hopes about remaining in San Diego County with her two children.
(=things such as drinking, eating a lot, or having sex)
The reforms are motivated by a genuine concern for the disabled. a genuine fear of invasion his insatiable appetite for power our insatiable thirst for knowledge· Fred felt an intense desire to punch Max in the face.
· The desired outcome of most services is a satisfied customer.
As a policy, it did not produce the desired effect.· These severe measures did not always produce the desired results.
· It is difficult to satisfy a desire for power.
· People have a strong desire for personal independence.
an unconscious need to be loved· Should the Committee so desire, we would be pleased to provide further details on this estimate.
NOUN· He spoke for about five minutes and achieved the desired effect.· This appeared to have the desired effect.· Longstreet merely sent another note directing that if the artillery fire had the desired effect the attack was to go forward.· His heavy-handed tactics usually had their desired effect in reducing men to quivering wrecks.· My article was published, and it seemed to have the desired effect.
PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► be burning with rage/desire etc► your heart’s desire/everything your heart could desire► be seized with/by terror/desire etc► slake a desire/craving etc
- Both books, written out of what had gradually become a burning ambition, were however nothing more than starters.
- Bruce was a short, stocky man with red hair and a burning ambition.
- But they didn't reckon with her burning ambition to win a third time.
- His own unashamed, burning ambition is' to make money.
- I just have never had a burning desire to practice law.
- It hadn't been an easy task, and in spite of his burning ambition and will to succeed.
- The second time, it was a passion, a burning desire.
- You see, she had this burning ambition to succeed on the stage.
- And it was from these experiments that Work place 2000 emerged as the response to a compelling need for change.
- Most women with bulimia, particularly those with a history of anorexia, have a compelling desire to be thinner.
- Such freedoms can be abridged only if the state shows it has a compelling need to do so.
- Suddenly I had a compelling urge to look at Wilkerson.
- She felt a flame of anger flicker and grow.
- Bob's idea of a balanced diet left something to be desired.
- His treatment of capital and profits left much to be desired.
- On the campaign trail, his oratorical skills have left much to be desired.
- On theoretical grounds, however, it leaves much to be desired.
- The quality of research in the area of child abuse still leaves much to be desired.
- To some degree they have been hampered by courses of study and lesson plans thai leave something to be desired.
- While the woodwind and low strings were reasonably well replicated, the violins, timpani and brass left much to be desired.
- Yet, as a match, it left something to be desired.
- A spendthrift with a regular, secure income is an object of desire among bankers.
- Because of this, a household obliged to sponsor many feasts gains no prestige, but becomes rather an object of pity.
- He left Downing Street in 1963 almost an object of ridicule, condemned in Gibbonian terms as the symbol of national decay.
- Mitch's image alone does not make clear that he will be mocked rather than taken seriously as an object of desire.
- She became an object of ridicule.
- Unfortunately Piggy had been demoted to an object of ridicule by this point in the book so nobody listened to him.
- Yet he is held up as an object of ridicule and loathing throughout the land.
WORD FAMILYnoundesirabilitydesireadjectivedesirable ≠ undesirabledesired ≠ undesiredverbdesireadverbdesirably
1 formal to want something very much: The hotel has everything you could possibly desire.desire to do something He desired to return to Mexico. Add lemon juice if desired.RegisterIn everyday English, people usually say want rather than desire, although the meaning of desire is stronger than want:· You can have anything you want.· I wanted to meet her.2 literary to want to have sex with someone—desired adjective: His remarks had the desired effect.GRAMMAR: Using the progressiveDesire is not usually used in the progressive. You say: · He desires adventure. ✗Don’t say: He is desiring adventure.Grammar guide ‒ VERBS