# lust

/ˈɫəst/ (US) · /lˈʌst/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/lust
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. sexual desire

noun · CEFR B2

a very strong feeling of sexual attraction to someone.

For teachers: intense sexual desire or appetite. Uncountable in its abstract sense, though it can be used countably to refer to specific instances.

- The movie is a story of love, lust, and betrayal in a small town.
- The protagonist struggled to distinguish between genuine romantic affection and a fleeting sense of lust driven by the intensity of the moment.

### 2. strong desire for something

noun · CEFR B2

a powerful desire for something like power, money, or travel.

For teachers: an overwhelming or passionate desire for something non-sexual, such as power or wealth.

- His lust for power eventually led to his downfall as a leader.
- The CEO's insatiable lust for profit often came at the expense of the company's long-term ethical standing.

Usage: Often followed by the preposition 'for'.

### 3. to want intensely

verb · CEFR C1 · Literary

to feel a very strong sexual desire for someone.

For teachers: to have an intense sexual desire for someone. Intransitive, typically requiring the preposition 'after'.

- He had lusted after her for years before he finally asked her out.
- The narrative explores how the characters lust after one another while ignoring the practical realities of their social positions.

Usage: Usually takes the preposition 'after'.

Teaching tip: In modern speech, this verb can sound quite dramatic or old-fashioned; 'fancy' or 'be attracted to' are more common in casual British or American English.

## Examples

- He was blinded by his lust for power.
- The novel explores the destructive nature of lust when it is prioritized over genuine emotional connection.
- Historians often argue whether the empire's expansion was driven by a strategic need for resources or a simple, unquenchable lust for territorial dominance.

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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.