thirst
B1Neutral - common in both everyday and literary contexts.
Definition
Meaning
The physical sensation of needing or wanting to drink something.
A strong desire or craving for something non-liquid (e.g., knowledge, power, adventure).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a noun. As a verb, it is literary/formal and often used with 'for' or 'after'. The adjectival form 'thirsty' is far more common than the verb 'thirst'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or core usage. Both use the verb form 'to thirst for' in formal/literary contexts.
Connotations
Identical.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
thirst for [noun]thirst after [noun]have a thirst [for noun]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “blood thirst”
- “thirst for knowledge”
- “thirst for revenge”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Metaphorical: 'a thirst for market dominance', 'thirst for innovation'.
Academic
Literal in scientific contexts (biology, medicine). Metaphorical in humanities: 'a thirst for learning'.
Everyday
Literal need for a drink. Also used for strong desires: 'I have a thirst for travel.'
Technical
Primarily physiological/medical term for the homeostatic drive to drink fluids.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The rebels thirsted for freedom.
- He thirsted after vengeance for years.
American English
- The team thirsts for a championship win.
- She thirsted for adventure in new lands.
adverb
British English
- N/A – 'thirstily' exists but is rare.
American English
- N/A – 'thirstily' exists but is rare.
adjective
British English
- The thirsty plants needed water.
- He was thirsty after the long match.
American English
- The dry climate left everyone thirsty.
- She was thirsty for more information.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I am thirsty. Can I have some water?
- After running, I had a big thirst.
- The heat gave everyone a powerful thirst.
- He has a real thirst for learning new languages.
- Nothing could quench his thirst for revenge after the betrayal.
- The documentary quenched my thirst for knowledge about ancient cultures.
- Her insatiable intellectual thirst drove her to read voraciously across multiple disciplines.
- The political exile thirsted for news from his homeland.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the word 'first' – you feel thirst FIRST when you need water.
Conceptual Metaphor
DESIRE IS THIRST (e.g., thirst for power, thirst for success).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid using 'жажда' for mild desires; in English, 'thirst' implies a stronger, more physical craving. The verb 'to thirst' is much less common than 'to be thirsty'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'thirst' as a common verb instead of 'be thirsty' (e.g., 'I thirst' sounds archaic). Confusing 'thirst' with 'hunger'.
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'thirst' correctly in a modern, non-literary way?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, in modern English the verb 'to thirst' is literary or formal. The adjective 'thirsty' is used far more frequently.
They are largely synonymous, both meaning 'to desire strongly'. 'Thirst for' is more common in contemporary usage.
Yes, this is a very common metaphorical extension (e.g., thirst for knowledge, thirst for power).
The most common and strong collocation is 'to quench one's thirst'.