# desperately

/ˈdɛspɝətɫi/ (US) · /dˈɛspəɹətli/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/desperately
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. extremely or very much

adverb · CEFR B2

used to emphasize how much you want or need something.

For teachers: 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.

### 2. in a hopeless way

adverb · CEFR B2

doing something in a way that shows you have little hope or are in a dangerous situation.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- He desperately needs a glass of water.
- The hikers searched desperately for a signal as the sun began to set behind the mountains.
- The local government is desperately seeking a solution to the housing crisis before the winter temperatures drop further and endanger the vulnerable population.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.