desire
B1Neutral to formal. Common in both spoken and written English, though often formal or literary when used as a verb.
Definition
Meaning
A strong feeling of wanting to have or do something; a wish.
It can refer to a strong sexual attraction, an aspiration or ambition, or a formal request. As a verb, it means to strongly wish for or want something.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
"Desire" implies a stronger, more intense, and often more lasting feeling than "want" or "wish." It can be neutral, but often carries emotional or passionate connotations.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is nearly identical. The verb form ('to desire') is perceived as slightly more formal/literary in both varieties.
Connotations
Identical.
Frequency
Comparably frequent in both.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
desire + noun (desire peace)desire + to-infinitive (desire to leave)desire + that-clause (formal: desired that he resign)desire + for + noun (a desire for knowledge)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “leave a lot to be desired”
- “the heart's desire”
- “object of desire”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in formal contexts (e.g., 'the customer's desired outcome', 'a desire for growth').
Academic
Common in psychology, literature, philosophy (e.g., 'human desire', 'desire and motivation').
Everyday
Common for strong wants (e.g., 'I have a strong desire to travel').
Technical
Rare as a specific term outside of psychoanalysis or marketing.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- She desired nothing more than a quiet holiday in the countryside.
- The council desires that all residents recycle their waste.
American English
- He desired a better life for his family.
- We desire to move forward with the project immediately.
adjective
British English
- The newlyweds moved into their desired home.
- This is my most desired outcome.
American English
- She got her desired result on the exam.
- The most desired feature of the car is its safety rating.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I have a desire to visit London.
- Her greatest desire is a new bicycle.
- He felt a strong desire to help.
- There is a public desire for cleaner parks.
- His burning desire for success motivated him every day.
- The policy was implemented in response to a widely expressed social desire.
- The poem explores the paradoxical nature of human desire and fulfilment.
- She desired nothing so much as the solitude of her own thoughts.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a DE-SIRE (like a fire) burning inside you, representing a strong, hot want.
Conceptual Metaphor
DESIRE IS HUNGER/THIRST (I'm hungry for success), DESIRE IS A FIRE (a burning desire), DESIRE IS A FORCE (overwhelmed by desire).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid overusing 'desire' for simple wants. Russian 'желание' is more frequent; English 'want' or 'wish' is often more natural in casual speech.
- The verb 'to desire' is more formal than 'хотеть'. Use 'want' or 'would like' in most situations.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'desire' as a verb in everyday conversation (sounds stiff). Incorrect: *'I desire a coffee.' Correct: 'I'd like a coffee.'
- Confusing preposition: 'a desire of' is usually incorrect. Use 'a desire for'.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following sentences uses 'desire' most appropriately in everyday conversation?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Desire' is stronger, more formal, and often implies emotional depth or a lasting aspiration. 'Want' is neutral and used for everyday wishes.
It's uncommon and sounds very formal or old-fashioned. Use 'want', 'would like', or 'really want' instead in casual contexts.
Almost always 'for' (a desire for change). The construction 'desire to' is used with a verb (a desire to change).
It is negative. It means something is unsatisfactory or not good enough (e.g., 'The hotel's cleanliness left a lot to be desired').