thirst

UK: /ˈθɜː^rst/ US: /θɝst/ ,(thûrst)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

thirst /θɜrst/   n. 

1. Physiology a feeling of dryness in the mouth and throat caused by need of liquid:
   [countable] He had developed quite a thirst after working in the hot sun all day.
   [uncountable] to quench thirst.
2. Physiology a need for liquid or moisture:
   [uncountable] dying of thirst.
3. an eager desire for something;
   craving:
   [countable] a thirst for knowledge.

v. 

4. to feel thirst;
   be thirsty:
   [no object] "I thirst,'' he croaked.
5. to have a strong desire for something:
   [~ + for/after + object] to thirst for adventure.

thirst•i•ly, adv. 

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

thirst (thûrst),  n. 

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

v.i. 

4. to feel thirst;
   be thirsty.
5. to have a strong desire.

• bef. 900; Middle English thirsten (verb, verbal), Old English thyrstan, derivative of thurst (noun, nominal); cognate with Dutch dorst, German Durst, Old Norse thorsti, Gothic thaurstei; noun, nominal has -i- from the verb, verbal or from thirsty; see toast¹

thirst′er, n. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

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

verb

1. (intransitive) to feel a thirst

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