Desire Meaning
/dɪˈzaɪə/Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
verbTo want; to wish for earnestly.
verbTo put a request to (someone); to entreat.
Sentence Examples
We soon believe what we desire.
We all desire success.
We all desire health and happiness.
CEFR Practice Quiz
His burning ____ for revenge consumed his every thought.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
We soon believe what we ____.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English desir, desire (noun) and desiren (verb), from Old French desirer, desirrer, from Latin dēsīderō (“to long for, desire, feel the want of, miss, regret”), apparently from de- + sidus (in the phrase de sidere, "from the stars") in connection with astrological hopes. Compare consider and desiderate. The verb, along with Old Norse derived want (verb), has mostly replaced native will in modern English.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Neither shall any man desire thy land."
— 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Exodus 34:24:
"[S]eeing you desire your child to live, / Thanks, but you work against your own desire; […]"
— 1874, Alfred Tennyson, “Lancelot and Elaine”, in Idylls of the King (The Works of Alfred Tennyson; VI), cabinet edition, London: Henry S. King & Co., […], →OCLC, page 88:
"And when they founde no cause of deeth in hym, yet desired they Pilate to kyll him."
— 1526, [William Tyndale, transl.], The Newe Testamẽt […] (Tyndale Bible), [Worms, Germany: Peter Schöffer], →OCLC, Acts:
"Mr. Barrett, however, by fawning and flattery, seemed to be able to make not only Mrs. Churchill but everyone else do what he desired."
— 1918, W[illiam] B[abington] Maxwell, chapter III, in The Mirror and the Lamp, Indianapolis, Ind.: The Bobbs-Merrill Company, →OCLC, page 15:
"Then shee said, Did I desire a sonne of my Lord ? did I not say, Doe not deceiue me?"
— 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, 2 Kings 4:28:
Explore More B1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
His burning ____ for revenge consumed his every thought.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
We soon believe what we ____.