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noun · B2 · often · UK/US

desire

desire

Meaning of desire

wish for something

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How important is this word
B2often

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Pronunciation
EN-UK/ə dɪˈzaɪə/
EN-US/dɪˈzaɪɚ/
desire
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desire with Russian translation

desire usage examples

🇷🇺RU🇬🇧EN

Её желание завести семью усилилось после того, как они съехались.

Her desire to start a family grew stronger after they moved in together.

🇷🇺RU🇬🇧EN

Он признался в своём желании стать ближе к партнёру во время сеанса терапии.

He admitted his desire to be closer to his partner during the therapy session.

Learn by topic

desire belongs to the topic "Emotions and Feelings". Start with a short 7-word set so the word is easier to remember in context.

desireжелание
familyсемья
parentsродители
momмама
dadпапа
childребёнок
childrenдети

desire synonyms

Related words worth learning together

wish
often expresses hope, longing or a polite wish; usually less intense or immediate than 'desire'
want
a direct, everyday word for wanting something; less formal than 'desire'
longing
a deep, often melancholic or wistful long-term desire
yearning
an intense, heartfelt, and often long-lasting desire; somewhat literary
craving
a powerful, often physical or compulsive desire, frequently short-term (e.g., for food or substances)
Learn 5 related words for free
🇬🇧en

often expresses hope, longing or a polite wish; usually less intense or immediate than 'desire'

B2Very Often

I wish I could go to Paris.

🇬🇧en

a direct, everyday word for wanting something; less formal than 'desire'

B1Very Often

I want a cup of coffee.

🇬🇧en

a deep, often melancholic or wistful long-term desire

C1Rarely

He felt a longing for his childhood home.

🇬🇧en

an intense, heartfelt, and often long-lasting desire; somewhat literary

C1Rarely

She felt a yearning to be free.

C
🇬🇧en
craving

a powerful, often physical or compulsive desire, frequently short-term (e.g., for food or substances)

C1Often

He had a craving for chocolate.

🇬🇧en

a sudden, strong impulse to act; emphasizes immediacy rather than sustained desire

B2Often

She resisted the urge to shout.

A
🇬🇧en
appetite

primarily the desire to eat; figuratively a general appetite or appetite for something (interest, enthusiasm)

B2Often

He has an appetite for adventure.

I
🇬🇧en
inclination

a tendency or preference; usually milder, habitual or considered rather than passionate

B2Often

She has an inclination to help others.

🇬🇧en

a long-term ambition or goal-oriented desire; more plan- or achievement-focused than 'desire'

C1Often

His aspiration is to become a surgeon.

🇬🇧en

an intense emotion or very strong desire, often linked to love or a powerful interest

C1Often

She has a passion for painting.

H
🇬🇧en
hankering

an informal, often mild or persistent craving or desire, sometimes nostalgic; less formal than 'desire'

C2Rarely

I have a hankering for fish and chips tonight.

What's the difference

Related words and lists for desire

How to pronounce desire and what this word means

desire means desire. This page includes translation, pronunciation, transcription, audio, usage examples and related words.

how to pronounce desire

/ə dɪˈzaɪə/

desire translation

desire

desire examples

Her desire to start a family grew stronger after they moved in together.

desire transcription

/ə dɪˈzaɪə/, /dɪˈzaɪɚ/

Questions about this word

desire meaning: what does it mean?

wish for something

desire pronunciation: how do you pronounce it?

desire is pronounced as /ə dɪˈzaɪə/. Audio is available on this page when the word has a recording.

desire definition and sentence examples: how is it used in a sentence?

Her desire to start a family grew stronger after they moved in together. Translation: Её желание завести семью усилилось после того, как они съехались.

Is desire part of Marriage and Romantic Relationships vocabulary?

Yes, desire can be learned in the Marriage and Romantic Relationships topic. This semantic link helps build related word lists and topic-based practice.

Is desire part of Emotions and Feelings vocabulary?

Yes, desire can be learned in the Emotions and Feelings topic. This semantic link helps build related word lists and topic-based practice.

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