desire

I UK [dɪˈzaɪə(r)] / US [dɪˈzaɪr] noun
Word forms "desire":
singular desire plural desires
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Get it right: desire:

When the noun desire is followed by a verb, use the infinitive (not the pattern "desire of doing something"):
Wrong: A child without a "real" father might have a desire of knowing who his father was.
Right: A child without a "real" father might have a desire to know who his father was.
Wrong: Our parents and grandparents had the desire of creating a better world for future generations.
Right: Our parents and grandparents had the desire to create a better world for future generations. When the noun desire is followed by another noun, use the pattern desire for something (not "desire of something"):
Wrong: It's not money itself that causes evil, it's the desire of money.
Right: It's not money itself that causes evil, it's the desire for money.
Wrong: Hatred and the desire of revenge brought one man to kill his brother.
Right: Hatred and the desire for revenge brought one man to kill his brother.

1) [countable/uncountable] a strong feeling of wanting to have or to do something

ordinary human needs and desires

a desire to do something:

his desire to join the army

desire for:

their desire for peace and stability in Europe

have no desire for something/to do something:

Young people have no desire to work for the government.

desire that:

the leaders' desire that neither country should lose any territory

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Collocations:
Verbs frequently used with desire as the object ▪  express, feel, fulfil, have, indicate, satisfy, show

2) [uncountable] formal a strong feeling that you want to have sex with someone

II UK [dɪˈzaɪə(r)] / US [dɪˈzaɪr] verb [transitive]
Word forms "desire":
present tense I/you/we/they desire he/she/it desires present participle desiring past tense desired past participle desired
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1) formal to want something

Money and success are things most of us desire.

desire to do something:

The company naturally desires to avoid negative publicity.

desire someone to do something:

We desire you to complete the work within one month of the start date.

2) literary to want someone as a sexual partner

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if he/she/they etc so desire(s) — formal if that is what he/she/they etc want

Hotel guests can have breakfast in their rooms, if they so desire.

- if desired

See:

leave I