Word
desperately
Phoneticsdes·per·ate·ly, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈdɛspɝətɫi/
UK/dˈɛspəɹətli/
Adverb of manner
Definitions
01extremely or very much
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adv. used to emphasize how much you want or need something.
adv. used as an intensifier to indicate extreme degree, typically with verbs of wanting, needing, or hoping.
“The small village desperately needs a new doctor before the winter starts.”
“The charity is desperately seeking volunteers to assist with the distribution of emergency supplies in the flooded regions.”
Synonyms
02in a hopeless way
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adv. doing something in a way that shows you have little hope or are in a dangerous situation.
adv. in a manner that suggests despair, urgency, or a lack of regard for safety due to extreme circumstances.
“He looked desperately for his lost keys as the last train began to pull away.”
“The trapped hikers signaled desperately to the rescue helicopter, waving their bright jackets against the grey rocks.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “desperately” in context.
Verb
01. desperately need help
“The local hospital is understaffed and desperately needs help from volunteers.”
adv + verb
02. desperately seek a solution
“Scientists are desperately seeking a solution to the rising sea levels.”
adv + verb
03. desperately try to escape
“The hikers were desperately trying to escape the forest fire before sunset.”
adv + verb
04. desperately want to succeed
“She desperately wanted to succeed in her new career as a graphic designer.”
adv + verb
Adjective
05. desperately ill in hospital
“The patient was desperately ill, and the doctors worked around the clock to save him.”
adv + adj
06. desperately lonely at night
“Living alone in a foreign city made him feel desperately lonely at night.”
adv + adj
07. desperately short of money
“After losing his job, he found himself desperately short of money for rent.”
adv + adj
08. desperately unhappy with life
“She was desperately unhappy with her life until she decided to travel the world.”
adv + adj
09. desperately need
10. desperately saddened
11. desperately needed
12. desperately wanted
Real-World Examples
“Prof Deborah Prentice, Cambridge’s vice-chancellor, said in a statement: “We are desperately saddened to hear this tragic news.” “She came to desperately miss physical touch during treatment.” Etymology
From desperate + -ly.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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