desire
the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state
How often you will meet it
Rank 621 of 71,295 words measured. It occurs 31,055 times across 175,112 chapters — 0.015% of every word in the library.
It belongs to the first 1,000 words, the band worth learning before any other.
What it means
noun
- the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state
- an inclination to want things a man of many desires
- something that is desired
verb
- feel or have a desire for; want strongly also: want I want to go home nowI want my own room
- expect and wish also: hope, trust I trust you will behave better from now onI hope she understands that she cannot expect a raise
- express a desire for
desire in real books
Each sentence below was written by a published author and is taken from a different book in our library. Open one to read the passage it came from, with narration.
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Who could expect, or desire, aught else?
The Hill: A Romance of Friendship · Horace Annesley Vachell · Chapter 1
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But my desire was as vain as my folly in making.
The Life and Most Surprising Adventures · Daniel Defoe · Chapter 1
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Precisely who may be the victim of this insatiable desire, fate alone can decide.
Punchinello, Volume 1, No. 08, May 21, 1870 · Various · Chapter 1
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It contained a newspaper cutting, which nothing but my desire to be truthful would force me to publish.
Punch — Volume 99, August 16, 1890 · Various · Chapter 1
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At Christmas time, the children's season, it is best to allow all who so desire to take part in the entertainment.
The White Christmas and other Merry · Walter Ben Hare · Chapter 1