What is desire? Pronunciation and usage in English

desire means . Learn how to pronounce and use desire through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of desire

desirenoun

/dɪˈzʌɪə/
Definition & pronunciation of desire

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "desire" in English. Here's a breakdown with phonetic symbols and a more conversational explanation:

Phonetic Symbols (IPA - International Phonetic Alphabet):

/dɪˈʒaɪər/

Let's break that down:

  • dɪ: Sounds like "di" as in "did"
  • ˈʒaɪ: This is the tricky part. It's a diphthong (a gliding vowel sound). It's roughly like saying "zhay" – think of the "s" in "measure" or the "j" in "judge." It’s a sort of "zh" sound followed by an "ee" sound.
  • ər: Sounds like "er" as in "her" (a short "er" sound)

More Conversational Breakdown:

  1. "De": Say "de" as in "bed."

  2. "Si": Say "si" as in "sit."

  3. "Re": This is the key. It’s a sound not often used in English. It’s a combination of "zh" (like the "s" in "measure") and "ee" (as in "see"). It’s a voiced postalveolar fricative.

    • Tip: Imagine you're trying to say "measure" but instead of the "s" sound, you're making a buzzing "zh" sound, and then quickly following it with a “ee” sound. It’s a unique sound!

Resources to Hear It:

  • Google Translate: Type "desire" into Google Translate and click the speaker icon. (This is often a good starting point).
  • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/desire/ - This website has pronunciations recorded by native speakers.
  • YouTube: Search "how to pronounce desire" on YouTube – you’ll find many helpful videos.

Tips for Practicing:

  • Start slow: Don’t try to rush it. Focus on getting the "zhay" sound right.
  • Listen and repeat: Listen to the examples and try to mimic the pronunciation as closely as you can.
  • Record yourself: Recording yourself saying the word and comparing it to a native speaker can help you identify areas where you need to improve.

Would you like me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation slowly?
  • Give you some similar words to practice with?

Usage and examples with the word desire in English

Let's break down how to use the word "desire" in English. It's a versatile word with a core meaning of wanting something, but it can be used in many different ways.

1. Basic Meaning: A Strong Want

  • Definition: At its simplest, "desire" means to have a strong feeling of wanting something, often something you don’t have.
  • Examples:
    • "I have a desire to travel the world." (A strong wish/hope)
    • "She felt a deep desire for love." (A powerful longing)
    • "He has a strong desire for success." (A yearning)

2. Grammatical Forms & Usage

  • Desire (Noun): This is the most common form, referring to the feeling itself.
    • "My desire is to learn Spanish."
    • "He expressed his desire clearly."
  • Desiring (Verb - Gerund/Present Participle): Used like a verb, often describing an ongoing process.
    • "She is desiring a new car." (She wants a new car – implying she’s actively pursuing it)
    • "He was desiring her company." (He wanted to be with her)
  • Desirous (Adjective): Describes someone or something that has a desire.
    • "She is a desirous listener." (She wants to listen attentively)
    • "The company is desirous of expanding its market." (The company wants to expand)

3. Different Shades of Meaning – How “Desire” Can Be Used to Add Nuance

  • Yearning: A deep, often wistful, desire. It usually implies a sense of longing for something lost or unattainable.
    • "He's consumed by a yearning for his homeland."
  • Longing: Similar to yearning, but often focuses on a specific absent thing.
    • "She felt a longing for the days of her childhood."
  • Craving: A very intense and often urgent desire, frequently for something physical, like food or a substance.
    • "He had a craving for chocolate."
  • Ambition: A strong desire for achievement or success.
    • "She has great ambition in her career."
  • Affection/Passion: Can describe a strong desire for someone or something emotionally. “A deep desire for connection.”

4. Common Phrases Using "Desire"

  • To have a desire for…: (as in, "I have a desire for chocolate.")
  • To fulfill one's desire: (to satisfy a desire)
  • Driven by desire: (motivated by a strong desire)
  • A desire to…: (expressing a wish or intention) "A desire to help others."
  • Denied a desire: (that a desire wasn’t granted)

5. Examples in Sentences – Putting it all together:

  • "Despite facing many hardships, she held onto her desire to become a doctor." (Strong want)
  • “He was desiring her smile, a precious reminder of happier times.” (Desiring – verb)
  • "She is a desirous student, always eager to learn more." (Desirous – adjective)
  • "The old photograph evoked a yearning for simpler days." (Yearning)
  • “The addict was consumed by a craving for heroin.” (Craving)

Resources for Further Learning:

To help me give you even more targeted guidance, could you tell me:

  • What context are you thinking of using "desire" in? (e.g., creative writing, a specific conversation, an academic essay?)

Synonyms for the word desire

Practice with vocabulary desire

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. Many young professionals have a strong ______ to make a significant impact in their chosen field.
  2. After months of intense negotiations, the two companies finally reached an ______ that satisfied both parties.
  3. The board expressed its unanimous ______ for the new CEO to implement more sustainable business practices.
  4. Despite facing numerous setbacks, her ______ to complete the marathon remained unwavering.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (there may be multiple correct answers per question)

  1. Which words best describe a powerful and often intense feeling of wanting something, especially something that is difficult to obtain? a) curiosity b) desire c) longing d) indifference e) wish

  2. If someone expresses a strong urge or a deep need for something, they might say they ______ it. a) detest b) yearn for c) desire d) ignore e) crave

  3. To show a strong motivation or personal aim to achieve something, especially in a professional context, you could use which of the following? a) ambition b) desire c) apathy d) aspiration e) rejection

  4. Which terms indicate a specific aim or purpose that a person or organization works towards? a) objective b) target c) goal d) dream e) intention

  5. When someone feels an intense and often uncontrollable urge or need, particularly for food or drugs, what word(s) might describe this feeling? a) abhorrence b) craving c) impulse d) repulsion e) hunger

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. His fervent wish was to become a leading expert in artificial intelligence. Rewrite using a form of "desire".

  2. Good leadership qualities are highly sought after in any successful organization. Rewrite using a related word form of "desire".

  3. The team's primary aim was to complete the project ahead of schedule. Rewrite using a suitable replacement word, not "desire" or its forms.

Answer:

Exercise 1:

  1. desire
  2. agreement
  3. desire
  4. determination

Exercise 2:

  1. b) desire, c) longing, e) wish
  2. b) yearn for, c) desire, e) crave
  3. a) ambition, b) desire, d) aspiration
  4. a) objective, b) target, c) goal, e) intention
  5. b) craving, c) impulse, e) hunger

Exercise 3:

  1. He had a fervent desire to become a leading expert in artificial intelligence.
  2. Good leadership qualities are highly desirable in any successful organization.
  3. The team's primary objective was to complete the project ahead of schedule.

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