# thirst

/ˈθɝst/ (US) · /θˈɜːst/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. need for water

noun · CEFR A2

the feeling you have when you need to drink something.

For teachers: the physiological sensation of dryness in the mouth and throat caused by a lack of liquids.

- After running for an hour in the sun, he had a terrible thirst.
- The hikers managed to quench their thirst at a small mountain stream after several hours of trekking through the heat.

Usage: Often used with the verb 'quench' to mean satisfying the need to drink.

### 2. strong desire

noun · CEFR B2

a very strong wish or need for something, like information or success.

For teachers: a metaphorical craving or eager desire for an abstract quality or achievement.

- The young student had a great thirst for knowledge and read every book in the library.
- His unquenchable thirst for power eventually led to his downfall as he alienated his closest political allies.

Usage: Commonly followed by the preposition 'for'.

## Examples

- He drank a large glass of water to satisfy his thirst.
- After hiking for three hours in the summer heat, her thirst was almost unbearable.
- The young scholar's unquenchable thirst for knowledge led her to spend every weekend in the archives, meticulously cataloging forgotten manuscripts.

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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.