desire noun - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage notes | Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary at OxfordLearnersDictionaries.com

Definition of desire noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

desire

noun
 OPAL W
 
/dɪˈzaɪə(r)/
 
/dɪˈzaɪər/
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  1.  
     [countable] a strong wish to have or do something
    • He now had enough money to satisfy all his desires.
    • desire for something a strong desire for power/revenge
    • desire to do something She has a burning desire to be an artist.
    • (formal) I have no desire (= I do not want) to discuss the matter further.
    • He has expressed a desire to see you.
    • (formal) desire that… his father's desire that he become a lawyer
    Extra Examples
    • He is filled with conflicting desires.
    • He suppressed the desire to run from the room.
    • His actions reflect his desire to fit in.
    • His childhood had created a desire for stability in his life.
    • Horses need to satisfy their desire for space and freedom.
    • I suddenly felt an overwhelming desire to laugh
    • Most children have an insatiable desire for knowledge.
    • She confessed a secret desire to be famous.
    • The chairman expressed his desire to expand the company.
    • The human desire for answers is very great.
    • The search for a better life is one of the most basic desires of human beings.
    • There's a growing desire among consumers for more organic products.
    • They were motivated by a deep desire for money and fame.
    • This was all Liam needed to fuel his desire for revenge.
    • a long-lasting relationship based on our mutual desire for peace
    • She felt an overwhelming desire to return home.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • burning
    • deep
    • fervent
    • …
    verb + desire
    • feel
    • harbour/​harbor
    • have
    • …
    preposition
    • desire for
    phrases
    • an object of desire
    See full entry
  2. [uncountable, countable] a strong wish to have sex with somebody
    • sexual desire
    • desire for somebody She felt a surge of love and desire for him.
    Topics Feelingsb2
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • burning
    • deep
    • fervent
    • …
    verb + desire
    • feel
    • harbour/​harbor
    • have
    • …
    preposition
    • desire for
    phrases
    • an object of desire
    See full entry
  3. [countable, usually singular] a person or thing that is wished for
    • When she agreed to marry him, he felt he had achieved his heart's desire.
    4. Word OriginMiddle English: from Old French desir (noun), desirer (verb), from Latin desiderare, perhaps from de- ‘down’ + sidus, sider- ‘star’.
See desire in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee desire in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English
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genuinely
adverb
 
 
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