thirst

[ thurst ]
See synonyms for: thirstthirstedthirsting on Thesaurus.com

noun
  1. a sensation of dryness in the mouth and throat caused by need of liquid.

  2. the physical condition resulting from this need, in any of various degrees: They almost died of thirst.

  1. strong or eager desire; craving: a thirst for knowledge.

verb (used without object)
  1. to feel thirst; be thirsty.

  2. to have a strong desire.

Origin of thirst

1
before 900; Middle English thirsten (v.), Old English thyrstan, derivative of thurst (noun); cognate with Dutch dorst,German Durst,Old Norse thorsti,Gothic thaurstei; noun has -i- from the v. or from thirsty; see toast1

Other words from thirst

  • thirster, noun
  • un·thirst·ing, adjective

Words Nearby thirst

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use thirst in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for thirst

thirst

/ (θɜːst) /


noun
  1. a craving to drink, accompanied by a feeling of dryness in the mouth and throat

  2. an eager longing, craving, or yearning: a thirst for knowledge

verb
  1. (intr) to feel a thirst: to thirst for a drink; to thirst after righteousness

Origin of thirst

1
Old English thyrstan, from thurst thirst; related to Old Norse thyrsta to thirst, Old High German dursten to thirst, Latin torrēre to parch

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012