I. de ‧ sire 1 W2 /dɪˈzaɪə $ -ˈzaɪr/ BrE AmE noun
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ desirability , ↑ desire ; adjective : ↑ desirable ≠ ↑ undesirable , ↑ desired ≠ UNDESIRED ; verb : ↑ desire ; adverb : ↑ desirably ]
1 . [uncountable and countable] a strong hope or wish
desire to do something
a strong desire to win
desire for
a desire for knowledge
desire 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 desire
desire for
He tried to hide his desire for her.
⇨ your heart’s desire at ↑ heart (24)
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COLLOCATIONS
■ adjectives
▪ great/strong
His one great desire in life was to own a Mercedes.
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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.
■ verbs
▪ have 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.
■ phrases
▪ have 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.
II. desire 2 BrE AmE verb [transitive not in progressive]
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ desirability , ↑ desire ; adjective : ↑ desirable ≠ ↑ undesirable , ↑ desired ≠ UNDESIRED ; verb : ↑ desire ; adverb : ↑ desirably ]
[ Date: 1200-1300 ; Language: Old French ; Origin: desirer , from Latin desiderare , from sidus 'star' (perhaps from the idea of 'wishing on a star' ) ]
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.
REGISTER
In 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.