Desperate
/ˈdɛsp(ə)rət/noun
Feeling or showing a hopeless sense that a situation is impossible to improve.
Did you know?It comes from Latin *desperatus*, literally “without hope,” from *de-* (“without”) + *sperare* (“to hope”), the same ancient root behind words like *prosper* and *despair*.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
desperatus
“Given up for lost; without hope”
Late Latin
Latin
desperare
“To be without hope; to despair”
Old French
Old French
desesperé
“Despairing; reckless; beyond hope”
Middle English
English
desperat
“Hopeless; reckless; extremely bold”
Modern English
English
desperate
“Feeling or showing hopelessness; extreme and urgent”
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