Frequency: The word is one of the 3000 most common words in English.
1.
If you are ~, you are in such a bad situation that you are willing to try anything to change it.
Troops are needed to help get food into Kosovo where people are in ~ need...
He made a ~ attempt to hijack a plane.
ADJ
~ly
Thousands are ~ly trying to leave their battered homes.
ADV: ADV with v
2.
If you are ~ for something or ~ to do something, you want or need it very much indeed.
They’d been married nearly four years and June was ~ to start a family...
People are ~ for him to do something.
ADJ: v-link ADJ, usu ADJ to-inf, ADJ for n
~ly
He was a boy who ~ly needed affection.
ADV: ADV with v
3.
A ~ situation is very difficult, serious, or dangerous.
India’s United Nations ambassador said the situation is ~...
= dire
ADJ