desire

Pronunciation

Here's the IPA phonetic spelling for "acquiescence" with a breakdown of sounds by syllable:

• ˌækwiˈɛs.əns (This is for American English pronunciation)

Here is the IPA phonetic spelling for "desire" with a breakdown of the sounds in each syllable:

• desire (dɪˈzaɪə) /dɪˈzaɪɚ/

• First syllable (di):

• d - voiced alveolar plosive (similar to the "d" in "dog")

• ɪ - near-close near-back unrounded vowel (similar to the "i" in "bit")

• Second syllable (zaɪ):

• z - voiced alveolar fricative (similar to the "z" in "zebra")

• aɪ - diphthong sound starting with a close front unrounded vowel (like the "i" in "machine") and ending with a near-close central unrounded vowel (like the "uh" in "but")

• Third syllable (ə):

• ə - schwa, a mid central vowel sound (a neutral vowel sound)

Word Form Variations

"Desire" has a few word form variations depending on its function in the sentence:

• Singular noun: This is the most common form, referring to a single feeling of wanting something. (e.g. I have a strong desire for ice cream.)

• Plural noun: "Desires" is used when referring to multiple wishes or longings. (e.g. She juggled her many desires and tried to prioritize.)

• Verb (present tense): "Desires" can be used as a verb in the third-person singular form to express someone's current longing. (e.g. He desires a promotion at work.)

• Verb (present participle): "Desiring" indicates that someone is currently experiencing a feeling of wanting something. (e.g. Desiring a change of scenery, she booked a weekend getaway.)

• Verb (past participle): "Desired" is used in the past tense to show that something was wanted or wished for. (e.g. The diamond necklace was her most desired possession.)

• Adverb: "Deservedly" (though not directly derived from "desire") can be used to describe something that is rightfully wanted or earned. (e.g. He deservedly received a raise for his hard work.)

Definitions, Synonyms, Antonyms

Noun:

• Definition: A strong feeling of wanting or longing for something that brings satisfaction or fulfillment.

• Synonyms: Wish, craving, yearning, longing, aspiration, hankering

• Antonyms: Disinterest, indifference, apathy, aversion

Verb (present tense, 3rd person):

• Definition: To have a strong feeling of wanting something.

• Synonyms: Crave, yearn, long for, covet, hanker after

• Antonyms: Be indifferent to, have no desire for, dislike

Verb (present participle):

• Definition: To be experiencing a feeling of wanting or longing for something.

• Synonyms: Yearning, craving, longing, wishing for

• Antonyms: Not desiring, being indifferent to

Verb (past participle):

• Definition: To have previously wanted or wished for something.

• Synonyms: Wished for, craved, longed for, coveted

• Antonyms: Not desired, disliked

Note: "Desire" is not commonly used as an adjective or adverb. However, the adverb "deservedly" (though not directly derived from "desire") can be used to describe something that is rightfully wanted or earned.

Examples of Use

Literature:

• "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald: "Gatsby turned around and stared into the face that had haunted him for five years. Now it was again across a table, with the thrilling nearness of across a gulf. He could content himself with that, as long as control did not slip from him." (This quote showcases Gatsby's desire to recapture the past and his lost love, Daisy.)

Newspapers:

• Headline from The New York Times: "Travelers Express Renewed Desire for Adventure After Pandemic Lockdowns" (This headline uses "desire" as a noun to describe the public's longing for travel experiences.)

Online Publications:

• Blog post title: "5 Tips to Manage Your Online Shopping Desires" (This title uses "desires" as a noun to refer to the temptation of online purchases.)

Entertainment Mediums:

• Movie line from "The Lion King": "Simba, you have forgotten who you are and where you are from. Remember who you are. You are my son, and the future king." (Mufasa's words try to reawaken Simba's desire to fulfill his destiny.)

• Song Lyric from "I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor: "At first I was afraid, I was petrified / Kept thinkin' I could never live without you by my side / But then I spent so many nights thinkin' how you did me wrong / And I grew strong" (The lyrics depict the transformation from fear to a powerful desire for independence.)

General Public Discourse:

• Conversation between friends: "I have a strong desire to learn a new language. Maybe Spanish?" ("Desire" is used as a noun to express a personal longing.)

• Job interview question: "What are your career aspirations and desires?" (The interviewer is asking about the candidate's long-term wishes and goals.)
  

10 Famous Quotes Using the term Desire

1. "The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why." - Mark Twain (This quote uses "desire" implicitly, suggesting a deep yearning to understand one's purpose.)

2. "The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle." - Steve Jobs (This quote highlights the importance of aligning your work with your passions and desires.)

3. "The unexamined life is not worth living." - Socrates (This quote implies a desire for self-knowledge and understanding.)

4. "Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from safe harbor, catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore, Dream, Discover." - Mark Twain (This quote encourages us to pursue our adventures and desires despite fear.)

5. "The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing." - Albert Einstein (This quote emphasizes the inherent human desire for knowledge and exploration.)

6. "The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be." - Ralph Waldo Emerson (This quote suggests that we have the power to shape our own destinies through our choices and desires.)

7. "The mind is everything. What you think you become." - Buddha (This quote highlights the power of our thoughts and desires in shaping reality.)

8. "The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched - they must be felt with the heart." - Helen Keller (This quote suggests that true happiness comes from fulfilling our emotional and spiritual desires.)

9. "The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra." - Jimmy Johnson (This quote emphasizes the importance of pursuing excellence and pushing beyond our initial desires.)

10. "There is nothing impossible to him who will try." - Alexander the Great (This quote celebrates the power of ambition and the will to achieve our desires.)

Etymology

The word "desire" comes from a long journey through languages! It all starts with the Latin word "desiderare," which means "to long for" or "to miss something." This Latin word itself might have been connected to the idea of stars. Back then, some people believed stars could influence our lives, so "desiderare" could have meant "to wait and see what the stars will bring" in terms of what we desire.

The word "desiderare" eventually became "desirer" in Old French, which means "to wish for" or "to long for." Finally, in the 13th century, "desirer" traveled to English and became "desire" with the same meaning we know today. So, "desire" has always been about that feeling of wanting or longing for something, even if the original reason behind the word might be a little surprising!

Phrases + Idioms Containing the term Desire

• Burning desire: This phrase describes an intense and all-consuming wish for something. (e.g., "She had a burning desire to travel the world.")

• Set your heart on: This means to have a strong desire for something specific. (e.g., "He has set his heart on winning the competition.")

• Leave something to be desired: This idiom suggests that something is not quite good enough or lacks something desirable. (e.g., "The movie left a lot to be desired.")

• Desire something with all your heart: This emphasizes the intensity and sincerity of a wish. (e.g., "I desire peace with all my heart.")

• Yearning for something: This describes a deep and long-lasting desire for something. (e.g., "She yearned for a simpler life.")

• Can't wait to/for: This informal phrase expresses strong anticipation and desire for something to happen. (e.g., "I can't wait to see the new movie!")

• Dieing for something: This is a hyperbolic way of saying you want something very badly. (e.g., "I'm dying for a slice of pizza!")

• Aching for something: This emphasizes a strong emotional desire, often for something lost or missed. (e.g., "She ached for her childhood home.")

• Have a hankering for something: This informal phrase describes a sudden or strong desire for something, often food-related. (e.g., "I have a hankering for ice cream.")

• Pining for something: This describes a long-lasting and sorrowful longing for something absent. (e.g., "He pined for his lost love.")

Posts Related to Desire

Source Information

Definition of desire from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.