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desire

n. C / U
B2 Upper Intermediate Oxford US //dɪˈzaɪɝ// UK //dɪzˈaɪə// de·sire General-service

n. a strong feeling that you want something or someone very much. It is more powerful than a simple wish.

n. a strong feeling of wanting to have something or wishing for something to happen. Often used to describe intense physical or emotional longing.


SIMPLE

She has a strong desire to travel the world.

CONTEXTUAL

The team's desire for victory was clear in the way they played during the final minutes of the game.

COMPLEX

Philosophers have long debated whether human desire is a source of progress or a fundamental cause of suffering in the modern world.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle English desir, desire (noun) and desiren (verb), from Old French desirer, desirrer, from Latin dēsīderō (“to long for, desire, feel the want of, miss, regret”), apparently from de- + sidus (in the phrase de sidere, "from the stars") in connection with astrological hopes. Compare consider and desiderate. The verb, along with Old Norse derived want (verb), has mostly replaced native will in modern English.

Usage

Often followed by an infinitive ('desire to do') or the preposition 'for' ('desire for success').

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