thirst

[thurst]

noun

1. a sensation of dryness in the mouth and throat caused by need of liquid.

2. the physical condition resulting from this need, in any of various degrees.

   They almost died of thirst.

3. strong or eager desire; craving.

   a thirst for knowledge.

verb (used without object)

1. to feel thirst; be thirsty.

2. to have a strong desire.

thirst

/ θɜːst /

noun

1. a craving to drink, accompanied by a feeling of dryness in the mouth and throat

2. an eager longing, craving, or yearning

   a thirst for knowledge

verb

1. (intr) to feel a thirst

   to thirst for a drink

   to thirst after righteousness

Other Word Forms

• thirster noun
• unthirsting adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of thirst¹

before 900; Middle English thirsten (v.), Old English thyrstan, derivative of thurst (noun); cognate with Dutch dorst, German Durst, Old Norse thorsti, Gothic thaurstei; noun has -i- from the v. or from thirsty; toast ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of thirst¹

Old English thyrstan, from thurst thirst; related to Old Norse thyrsta to thirst, Old High German dursten to thirst, Latin torrēre to parch

Example Sentences

The infamous death penalty ads also revealed his thirst for police brutality.

From Salon

George W. Bush’s privatization plan, indeed, was conceived and promoted by Wall Street bankers, who thirsted for access to the trillions of dollars passing through the system’s hands.

From Los Angeles Times

“It looked so good, so I posted it. I didn’t know what a ‘thirst trap’ was, but now I do.

From Salon

“For a lot of people, a beverage is just to quench the thirst or get an energy boost with caffeine, so yeah maybe the tea behind it isn’t really that important for them.”

From Salon

A fusion of body horror and couples therapy, it centers on a sunken cave with a pool of water that, when sipped, makes cells thirst to meld with the nearest mammal.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• appetite 
• desire 
• eagerness 
• hankering 
• hunger 
• longing 
• lust 
• passion 
• yearning