- 1(formal) to want something; to wish for something desire something We all desire health and happiness. The house had everything you could desire. The dessert can be topped with cream, if desired (= if you like). The medicine did not achieve the desired effect. desire (somebody/something) to do something Fewer people desire to live in the north of the country.
- 2desire somebody to be sexually attracted to someone He still desired her. Idioms
desire
verbNAmE//dɪˈzaɪər//
(not used in the progressive tenses)Verb Forms present simple I / you / we / they desire he / she / it desires
past simple desired
to be bad or unacceptable The service in the restaurant left a lot to be desired.
Check pronunciation: desire