desire
gb/dɪzˈaɪɚ/ us/dɪzˈaɪɚ/
B1
English
~ 1700
vágy, vágyik, szenvedély, szexuális vágy
NOUN
B1
1
vágy
B1
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s desire for [something]
She felt a strong desire for adventure.
Erős kalandvágyat érzett.
His desire to help others inspired many people.
Sokakat megihletett az a vágya, hogy másokon segítsen.
The desire for success can be a powerful motivator.
They expressed a desire for more flexible working hours.
Learner examples
I have a desire to travel.
Vágyom arra, hogy utazzak.
He has a desire for a new car.
Vágyik egy új autóra.
She feels a desire to learn English.
They have a desire for peace.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'desire' with 'wish'. 'Wish' is often used for specific hopes, while 'desire' refers to a stronger, more general feeling.
Meaning
strong feeling of wanting
Collocations
strong desire
|sexual desire
|desire for freedom
|express a desire
|have a desire
Synonyms
longing (Often suggests a deep, emotional, and sometimes nostalgic want.)
|
yearning (Implies an intense, often persistent emotional want.)
Antonyms
aversion (A strong dislike or unwillingness toward something.)
|
indifference (A lack of interest or concern about something.)
Themes
emotions
|relationships
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A strong feeling that you want something or want something to happen.
A strong feeling of wanting to have something or wishing for something to happen.
VERB
B2
2
vágyik
B1
Usage pattern:
to desire [something]
Many people desire happiness above all else.
Sokan a boldogságra vágynak mindenekelőtt.
She desires nothing more than to see her family again.
Semmi másra nem vágyik jobban, mint hogy újra lássa a családját.
He desires a better future for his children.
Learner examples
I desire a new phone.
Vágyom egy új telefonra.
She desires to be rich.
Arra vágyik, hogy gazdag legyen.
He desires peace and quiet.
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse 'desire' in casual speech where 'want' is more natural; 'desire' can sound formal in everyday conversation.
Meaning
to strongly want something
Collocations
desire wealth
|desire attention
|desire change
|desire success
Synonyms
crave (Often used for intense physical or emotional wants.)
|
wish for (A more general term, sometimes less intense than 'desire'.)
Antonyms
reject (To refuse to accept or want something.)
|
dislike (To have a negative feeling toward something instead of wanting it.)
Themes
emotions
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To really want something.
To strongly wish for or want something.
NOUN
B2
3
szenvedély
B2
Their eyes met, and she felt an unexpected surge of desire.
Tekintetük találkozott, és váratlan vágyhullám futott át rajta.
The novel explores themes of love and desire.
A regény a szerelem és a vágy témáit járja körül.
He couldn't hide his desire for her.
Learner examples
He feels sexual desire for her.
Szexuális vágyat érez iránta.
She has no desire for him.
Nem érez iránta vágyat.
The story is about love and desire.
Common mistake:
Some learners confuse 'desire' in this sense with general wants; context usually makes the sexual meaning clear.
Meaning
sexual attraction toward someone
Collocations
sexual desire
|physical desire
|arouse desire
Synonyms
lust (Often emphasizes purely physical attraction without emotional connection.)
Antonyms
repulsion (A feeling of strong dislike or disgust, especially in a sexual context.)
Themes
emotions
|relationships
|health
Definition
A strong sexual feeling toward someone.
A strong feeling of sexual attraction toward someone.
Grammar
Dictionary form
desire
IPA
GB/dɪzˈaɪɚ/
US/dɪzˈaɪɚ/
Syllables & stress
de - sire (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (sire)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: desire
- Plural: desire, desires
Verb
- Base: desire
- 3rd Person Singular: desires
- Present Participle: desiring
- Past: desired
Word family
Forms
desires
noun
desiring
verb
desired
verb
Core family
desirable
adjective B1
Related words
desirability
noun C1
desirably
adverb
Negative and opposite forms
undesirable
adjective B2
Advanced or less common
desirous
adjective B2
Expressions
burning desire
1/bˈɚnɪŋ dɪzˈaɪɚ/
fixed phrase
extremely strong wish for something
A very strong wish to have or do something.
Examples
- She had a burning desire to win the championship.
- His burning desire to help others drove his career choices.
inspire desire
1/ɪnspˈaɪɚ dɪzˈaɪɚ/
fixed phrase
cause someone to strongly want something or someone
To make someone feel that they strongly want something or someone.
Examples
- The advertisement was designed to inspire desire for the product.
- Her performance inspired desire and admiration in the audience.
object of desire
1/ˈɑbd͡ʒɛkt əv dɪzˈaɪɚ/
fixed phrase
something greatly wanted by people
Something that many people want very much.
Examples
- The sports car became the new object of desire among collectors.
- For years, the island had been an object of desire for travelers.