thirst
gb/θˈɚst/ us/θˈɚst/
A2
English
~ 4400
szomjúság, vágy, szomj, szomjas, megszomjazik, szomjazik
NOUN
A2
1
szomjúság
A2
Usage pattern:
feel [thirst]
After running in the sun, he felt an intense thirst.
Miután a napon futott, kínzó szomjúságot érzett.
She drank a glass of water to quench her thirst.
Ivott egy pohár vizet, hogy csillapítsa a szomját.
The hikers carried extra bottles to prevent thirst on the trail.
Thirst can be a sign of dehydration.
His lips cracked from thirst during the long journey.
Learner examples
I have a strong thirst after playing football.
Focizás után nagyon szomjas vagyok.
Drink water when you feel thirst.
Igyál vizet, amikor szomjas vagy.
He has thirst because it is very hot today.
She drinks juice to stop her thirst.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'thirst' (the feeling) with 'thirsty' (the adjective describing the state).
Meaning
Need for water
Collocations
quench thirst
|satisfy thirst
|die of thirst
|thirst for water
|extreme thirst
Synonyms
dehydration (Refers to the medical condition caused by excessive loss of water, not just the feeling.)
Antonyms
hydration (Refers to having enough water in the body, opposite of being thirsty.)
Themes
daily life
|health
|body
|core_vocabulary
Definition
The feeling that you need to drink water.
A physical feeling of dryness in the mouth and throat, caused by a need for fluids.
NOUN
B2
2
Usage pattern:
thirst for [something abstract]
She has a thirst for knowledge that drives her to read every day.
Olyan erős benne a tudásvágy, hogy mindennap olvas.
His thirst for power led him to make risky decisions.
Hatalomvágya miatt kockázatos döntéseket hozott.
The young explorer’s thirst for adventure took him around the world.
A thirst for justice motivated the protesters.
They shared a mutual thirst for success.
Learner examples
He has a thirst for learning new things.
Erős benne a vágy, hogy új dolgokat tanuljon.
She has a thirst for travel.
Vágyik az utazásra.
I have a thirst for music.
They have a thirst for winning.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes try to use 'thirst' with food; in this figurative sense, it is usually paired with abstract nouns like 'knowledge' or 'power'.
Meaning
Strong desire or craving
Collocations
thirst for knowledge
|thirst for power
|thirst for adventure
|insatiable thirst
|thirst for success
Synonyms
craving (Often used for strong desires for food or other things; slightly more informal.)
|
yearning (Carries a more emotional or sentimental tone.)
Antonyms
indifference (Lack of interest or desire for something.)
Themes
emotions
|motivation
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A very strong want for something that is not food or drink.
A strong desire or craving for something, especially something non-physical like knowledge, power, or adventure.
VERB
B2
3
Usage pattern:
[someone] thirsts
They thirsted after walking through the desert.
A sivatagon át gyalogolva megszomjaztak.
I am thirsting in this heat.
Szomjas vagyok ebben a hőségben.
We thirsted until we reached the village well.
Learner examples
I thirst after running fast.
Gyors futás után szomjas vagyok.
He is thirsting because it is hot.
Szomjas, mert meleg van.
We thirst in the sun.
Common mistake:
Learners often use 'thirst' as a verb less than 'be thirsty'; 'be thirsty' is more common in everyday speech.
Meaning
Feel the need to drink
Collocations
thirst badly
|thirst all day
Synonyms
crave (water) (Implies a strong desire, but 'crave' is broader and can be used for many things besides water.)
Antonyms
be hydrated (Describes having enough fluid and not needing to drink.)
Themes
daily life
|health
|body
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To feel that you need to drink water.
To experience the physical need or desire to drink fluids.
Grammar
Dictionary form
thirst
IPA
GB/θˈɚst/
US/θˈɚst/
Syllables & stress
thirst (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (thirst)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: thirst
- Plural: thirst, thirsts
Verb
- Base: thirst
- 3rd Person Singular: thirsts
- Present Participle: thirsting
- Past: thirsted
Word family
Forms
thirsts
noun
thirsting
verb
thirsted
verb
Core family
thirsty
adjective A1
Related words
thirstiness
noun
thirstily
adverb
Expressions
die of thirst
1/dˈaɪ əv θˈɚst/
fixed phrase
Die from no water
To die because you have no water to drink.
Examples
- Without rain, animals may die of thirst.
- The lost sailors feared they would die of thirst.
quench one's thirst
1/kwˈɛnt͡ʃ wˈʌnz θˈɚst/
fixed phrase
Drink until not thirsty
To drink enough so you are not thirsty anymore.
Examples
- He drank lemonade to quench his thirst.
- A cool glass of water will quench your thirst quickly.
thirst after/for [something]
1/θˈɚst ˈæftɚfɚ sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
literary
Strongly want something abstract
To really want something, usually not food or drink.
Examples
- They thirsted after fame and fortune.
- He thirsts for revenge against his enemies.
thirst for knowledge
1/θˈɚst fɚ nˈɑlɪd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
Strong desire to learn
A very strong want to learn new things.
Examples
- Her thirst for knowledge led her to study day and night.
- Teachers should encourage students’ natural thirst for knowledge.
thirst trap
1/θˈɚst tɹˈæp/
idiom
informal
sexy post to get attention
A photo or social media post that is made to look very attractive in order to get a lot of sexual or romantic attention from other people.
Examples
- He posted a shirtless thirst trap on Instagram after his workout.
- She joked that her beach selfie was just a thirst trap.
thirst trap
2/θˈɚst tɹˈæp/
idiom
slang
Post made to get attention online
A photo or message shared online to make people notice you in a sexual way.
Examples
- She posted a selfie as a thirst trap.
- That shirtless photo was clearly a thirst trap.