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desire

 - 4 dictionary results

de⋅sire

  [di-zahyuhr] verb, -sired, -sir⋅ing, noun
Use desire in a Sentence
–verb (used with object)
1. to wish or long for; crave; want.
2. to express a wish to obtain; ask for; request: The mayor desires your presence at the next meeting.
–noun
3. a longing or craving, as for something that brings satisfaction or enjoyment: a desire for fame.
4. an expressed wish; request.
5. something desired.
6. sexual appetite or a sexual urge.
Origin:
1200–50; ME desiren < OF desirer < L dēsīderāre; see desiderate

Related forms:
de⋅sired⋅ly  [di-zahyuhrd-lee, -zahy-rid-] , adverb
de⋅sired⋅ness, noun
de⋅sire⋅less, adjective
de⋅sir⋅er, noun
de⋅sir⋅ing⋅ly, adverb

Synonyms:
1. covet, fancy. See wish. 2. solicit. 3. aspiration, hunger, appetite, thirst. Desire, craving, longing, yearning suggest feelings that impel one to the attainment or possession of something. Desire is a strong feeling, worthy or unworthy, that impels to the attainment or possession of something that is (in reality or imagination) within reach: a desire for success. Craving implies a deep and imperative wish for something, based on a sense of need and hunger: a craving for food, companionship. A longing is an intense wish, generally repeated or enduring, for something that is at the moment beyond reach but may be attainable at some future time: a longing to visit Europe. Yearning suggests persistent, uneasy, and sometimes wistful or tender longing: a yearning for one's native land.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To desire
de·sire   (dĭ-zīr')   
tr.v.   de·sired, de·sir·ing, de·sires

  1. To wish or long for; want.

  2. To express a wish for; request.

n.  

  1. A wish or longing.

  2. A request or petition.

  3. The object of longing: My greatest desire is to go back home.

  4. Sexual appetite; passion.


[Middle English desiren, from Old French desirer, from Latin dēsīderāre : dē-, de- + sīdus, sīder-, star.]
de·sir'er n.
Synonyms: These verbs mean to have a strong longing for: desire peace; coveted the new convertible; craving fame and fortune; wanted a drink of water; got all she wished.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: de·sire
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Forms: de·sired; de·sir·ing
: to wish for earnestly —see also PRECATORY
NOTE: Courts have variously interpreted desire in wills to indicate either a direction of the testator that must be followed or merely an expression of what the testator hoped would happen.
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Idioms & Phrases

desire

see leave a lot to be desired.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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