desire
desire
noun
OPAL W
/dɪˈzaɪə(r)/
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
Collocations Dictionary
adjective
burningdeepfervent…
verb + desire
feelharbour/​harborhave…
preposition
desire for
phrases
an object of desire
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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 Feelings B2
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.
desire
verb
OPAL W
/dɪˈzaɪə(r)/
not used in the progressive tenses
1 (formal) to want something; to wish for something
desire something We all desire health and happiness.
The house had everything you could desire.
The dessert can be topped with cream, if desired (= if you like).
The medicine did not achieve the desired effect.
desire to do something Fewer people desire to live in the north of the country.
desire somebody to do something She desired him to leave her alone.
Collocations Dictionary
adverb
greatlyreallytruly…
See full entry
2 ​desire somebody to be sexually attracted to somebody
He still desired her.
Idioms
leave a lot, much, something, etc. to be desired
Word Origin
Middle English: from Old French desir (noun), desirer (verb), from Latin desiderare, perhaps from de- ‘down’ + sidus, sider- ‘star’.