/ dɪˈzaɪə(r); NAmE / noun , verb
■ noun
1.
[ C , U ] ~ (for sth) | ~ (to do sth) a strong wish to have or do sth :
a strong desire for power
enough money to satisfy all your desires
She felt an overwhelming desire to return home.
( formal )
I have no desire (= I do not want) to discuss the matter further.
( formal )
He has expressed a desire to see you.
2.
[ U , C ] ~ (for sb) a strong wish to have sex with sb :
She felt a surge of love and desire for him.
3.
[ C , usually sing. ] a person or thing that is wished for :
When she agreed to marry him he felt he had achieved his heart's desire .
■ verb (not used in the progressive tenses)
1.
( formal ) to want sth; to wish for sth :
[ vn ]
We all desire health and happiness.
The house had everything you could desire.
The medicine did not achieve the desired effect .
[ v to inf ]
Fewer people desire to live in the north of the country.
[also vn to inf ]
2.
to be sexually attracted to sb :
[ vn ]
He still desired her.
•
IDIOMS
- leave a lot, much, something, etc. to be desired
••
WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Old French desir (noun), desirer (verb), from Latin desiderare , perhaps from de- down + sidus , sider- star.