de·sire
di-ˈzī(-ə)r 
dē-
desired; desiring
1
: to long or hope for : exhibit or feel desire for
desire success
knew that men still desired her
2
3
obsolete
: invite
4
archaic
: to feel the loss of
: to have or feel desire
They may come if they so desire.
1
: conscious impulse (see impulse entry 1 sense 1) toward something that promises enjoyment or satisfaction in its attainment
ridding oneself of all desires
how humans process desire
2
3
: something longed or hoped for : something desired
You are my heart's desire.
4
: a usually formal request or petition for some action
at the desire of one fifth of those present—
U.S. Constitution
U.S. ConstitutionExamples of desire in a Sentence
Verb
He desired her approval more than anything.
The apartment has modern amenities, a great location—everything you could desire.
She knew that men still desired her.
Noun
Desire is a common theme in music and literature.
The magazine tries to attend to the needs and desires of its readers.
Both sides feel a real desire for peace.
His decisions are guided by his desire for land.
They expressed a desire to go with us.
They have a desire to have children.
a strong desire to travel around the world
He was overcome with desire for her.
Recent Examples on the Web
Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 27 Oct. 2025
The victory Friday night against the Mountain West cellar dweller added to road games that left a lot to be desired.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 25 Oct. 2025
Merve Ceylan, Health, 26 Oct. 2025
This decision comes from a place of necessity, not desire.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 26 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for desire
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show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Verb
Gray was the color most desired, and in the horse world, gray means white.
—Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 27 Oct. 2025
The victory Friday night against the Mountain West cellar dweller added to road games that left a lot to be desired.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 25 Oct. 2025
Noun
Appetite refers to the desire to eat.
—Merve Ceylan, Health, 26 Oct. 2025
This decision comes from a place of necessity, not desire.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 26 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for desire
Cite this Entry
“Desire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/desire. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
desire
1 of 2 verb
de·sire
di-ˈzī(ə)r
desired; desiring
1
: to long for : wish earnestly
desire wealth
desire peace
2
: to call for : express a wish for : request
the librarian desires us to return all overdue books
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