Desire
/dɪˈzaɪər/noun
A strong feeling of wanting to have something or wishing for something to happen.
Did you know?The word 'desire' originates from Latin 'desiderium', meaning 'longing for what is absent', intertwined with astrological themes of fate and loss.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*deyḱ-
“to show, to point out, suggesting a longing or reaching for something.”
Latin
Latin
desiderare
“to long for, to wish for something that is not present.”
Old French
Old French
desirer
“to desire, from Latin roots implying a deep yearning.”
Middle English
Middle English
desiren
“to long for or wish for; strong emotional pull towards something.”
Modern English
English
desire
“a powerful wish or longing, often with connotations of yearning.”
Explore more surprising origins