Desired Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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desired

[dɪˈzaɪərd ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

feelings

having a strong feeling of wanting something or someone

Synonyms

craved, longed for, yearned.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
desired

When you want something strongly, often used in both positive and neutral contexts.

  • She desired a promotion at work
  • The product they desired was out of stock
craved

When you want something intensely, often used for physical desires or strong urges.

  • He craved chocolate late at night
  • She craved attention from her parents
longed for

When you miss something deeply and emotionally, often used for something you haven't had for a long time.

  • She longed for the days when they were together
  • He longed for his childhood home
yearned

When you have a strong emotional desire for something, typically something distant or unattainable.

  • He yearned for freedom
  • She yearned to see her family again

Examples of usage

  • She has always had a desired to travel the world.
  • He finally achieved his desired goal of becoming a doctor.
Context #2 | Noun

general

a strong feeling of wanting to have something or wishing for something to happen

Synonyms

craving, longing, wish.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
desired

Used when talking about something that is wanted strongly, often in a more formal or neutral tone.

  • She finally achieved the desired outcome after years of hard work
wish

Used to express the desire for something to happen in a more casual or general sense. It can also be used for polite expressions and phrases.

  • I wish you a happy birthday! / He wished he could travel more
craving

Used to describe a strong, often sudden feeling of wanting something, especially food or drugs. It has a more intense and immediate connotation.

  • He had a sudden craving for chocolate cake in the middle of the night
longing

Used to express a deep, often emotional desire, usually for something that is far away, lost, or unattainable.

  • She felt a profound longing for her childhood home as she looked through old photographs

Examples of usage

  • Her desire to learn new things is admirable.
  • The team's desire to win the championship was evident.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • Desire is often a key factor in motivation, driving people to pursue goals or ambitions.
  • The theory of human motivation outlines that desires can be intrinsic (from within) or extrinsic (from outside rewards).
  • Desiring something can lead to feelings of happiness or disappointment depending on whether that desire is fulfilled.

Literature

  • In literature, desire often drives characters' actions and can lead to conflict, as seen in many classic novels.
  • William Shakespeare frequently explored themes of unfulfilled desire, illustrating the human condition in plays like 'Romeo and Juliet'.
  • Desire is a common motif in poetry, often representing longing or yearning for love, recognition, or fulfillment.

Pop Culture

  • Songs frequently touch on themes of desire, such as love songs that express longing for someone special.
  • Movies often depict characters struggling with their desires, making choices that lead to significant plot developments.
  • Fashion and advertisements capitalize on desire by creating a sense of want for their products, pushing consumers to buy.

Philosophy

  • Philosophers like Plato viewed desire as a powerful force that can lead to both fulfillment and suffering.
  • Existentialists explore how desires shape our identity and how we find meaning in life.
  • The concept of 'desire' raises questions about ethics, morality, and the nature of happiness in life.

Origin of 'desired'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin word 'desiderare', meaning 'to long for' or 'to wish for'.
  • In Old French, 'desir' also referred to 'wish' or 'desire', showing how the idea traveled through languages.
  • It has been used in English since the 14th century, evolving in both meaning and usage over time.

The word 'desired' comes from the Middle English word 'desiren', which in turn comes from the Old French 'desirer'. The concept of desire has been a central theme in philosophy, psychology, and literature, exploring the complex nature of human desires and motivations. Throughout history, desire has been seen as both a motivating force for achievement and a source of potential suffering and dissatisfaction.


See also: desirability, desirable, desires, desiring, undesirability, undesirable, undesired.

Word Frequency Rank

This word ranks #1,526, placing it within important intermediate vocabulary. Learning it will significantly improve your ability to express yourself in English.