Desperate: meaning, definitions and examples

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desperate

 

[ หˆdษ›sp(ษ™)rษ™t ]

Adjective
Oxford 3000
Context #1 | Adjective

feeling

Feeling or showing a hopeless sense that a situation is so bad as to be impossible to deal with.

Synonyms

despairing, distressed, hopeless

Examples of usage

  • She was desperate to find a solution to her financial problems.
  • The family made a desperate plea for help.
Context #2 | Adjective

urgent

Reckless or dangerous because of despair or urgency.

Synonyms

critical, drastic, urgent

Examples of usage

  • He made a desperate attempt to save the drowning child.
  • The situation called for desperate measures.
Context #3 | Adjective

needing or wanting something very much

Having a great need or desire for something.

Synonyms

eager, impatient, keen

Examples of usage

  • She was desperate for affection.
  • He was desperate for a job.

Translations

Translations of the word "desperate" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น desesperado

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคจเคฟเคฐเคพเคถ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช verzweifelt

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ putus asa

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะฒั–ะดั‡ะฐะนะดัƒัˆะฝะธะน

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ zrozpaczony

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ็ตถๆœ›ใ—ใฆใ„ใ‚‹ (zetsubou shiteiru)

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท dรฉsespรฉrรฉ

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ desesperado

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท umutsuz

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์ ˆ๋ง์ ์ธ (jeolmangjeogin)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ูŠุงุฆุณ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ zoufalรฝ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ zรบfalรฝ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ็ปๆœ›็š„ (juรฉwร ng de)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ obupan

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ รถrvรฆntingarfullur

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ าฏะผั–ั‚ัั–ะท

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒฃแƒ˜แƒ›แƒ”แƒ“แƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ รผmidsiz

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ desesperado

Etymology

The word 'desperate' originated from the Latin word 'desperatus', which means 'given up'. Over time, the meaning evolved to convey a sense of extreme need or urgency. The modern usage of 'desperate' reflects a strong emotional state of hopelessness or urgency, often associated with a compelling desire or need for something.

See also: despair, despairing.

Word Frequency Rank

At #5,323 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.