Definition and Meaning of “Desire”
Word: Desire
Pronunciation: /dɪˈzaɪər/
Part of Speech: Noun, verb
Pronunciation: /dɪˈzaɪər/
Part of Speech: Noun, verb
- As a noun: A strong feeling of wanting someone or something.
- As a verb: To want or long for someone or something.
Simple Explanation
Desire is when you really want something—an object, an experience, or even a person.
Grammatical Formation
- Noun: desire
- “She felt a desire to travel.”
- Verb: to desire
- “He desires more freedom.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
aversion, dislike, indifference, disinterest, repulsion
Related Terms
Common Collocations
- noun + desire:burning desire, strong desire, sexual desire, deep desire
- verb + desire: deeply desire, keenly desire, ardently desire
Idiomatic Usage & Expressions
- “Desire burns/gnaws at someone” – a strong, persistent wanting.
- “Fulfill one’s desire” – achieve or satisfy a wish.
- “Desire comes before action” – wanting often precedes doing.
Sample Sentences
- She harbored a burning desire to learn new languages.
- They fulfilled their desire for adventure by backpacking across Europe.
- He felt a surge of desire when she smiled at him.
- Desire for change motivated the team to innovate.
- Her desire to help others led her to nursing.
Does “Desire” Have a Relationship to Sexuality?
✅ Yes.
In sexual contexts, desire often refers to sexual desire orlibido—the drive or motivation for sexual activity. It’s a core concept in understanding human sexuality, encompassing both physical urges and emotional longings.
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