desiring

From the verb desire: (⇒ conjugate)

desiring is: ⓘ

v pres p

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

de•sire /dɪˈzaɪr/   v., -sired, -sir•ing, n. 
v. [ not: be + ~-ing]

1. to wish for;
   want or long for: [ ~ + obj]:
   What he really desires is a raise.
   [ ~ + to + verb]:
   She desired to be a veterinarian.
   [ ~ + obj + to + verb]:
   What do you desire them to do?
2. [ ~ + obj] to want sexually.
3. [ ~ + obj] to ask for;
   request:
   The mayor desires your presence at the meeting.

n. 

4. a longing or craving:
   [countable] an uncontrollable desire for chocolate.
5. [uncountable] a strong wish to have sexual relations.

Related Words

desire is a noun and a verb, desirable is an adjective:
His desires cannot be met. He desires to see you. That is a desirable job.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

de•sire  (di zī^ər′), v., -sired, -sir•ing, n. 
v.t. 

1. to wish or long for; crave;
   want.
2. to express a wish to obtain;
   ask for;
   request:
   The mayor desires your presence at the next meeting.

n. 

3. a longing or craving, as for something that brings satisfaction or enjoyment:
   a desire for fame.
4. an expressed wish;
   request.
5. something desired.
6. sexual appetite or a sexual urge.

• Latin dēsīderāre; see desiderate
• Old French desirer
• Middle English desiren 1200–50

de•sired•ly  (di zī^ərd′lē, -zī′rid-), adv.  de•sired′ness, n. 
de•sire′less, adj. 
de•sir′er, n. 
de•sir′ing•ly, adv. 
Synonyms

• 1. covet, fancy. See wish. 
• 2. solicit.
• 3. aspiration, hunger, appetite, thirst.
  Desire, craving, longing, yearning suggest feelings that impel one to the attainment or possession of something.
  Desire is a strong feeling, worthy or unworthy, that impels to the attainment or possession of something that is (in reality or imagination) within reach:
  a desire for success.
  Craving implies a deep and imperative wish for something, based on a sense of need and hunger:
  a craving for food, companionship.
  A longing is an intense wish, generally repeated or enduring, for something that is at the moment beyond reach but may be attainable at some future time:
  a longing to visit Europe.
  Yearning suggests persistent, uneasy, and sometimes wistful or tender longing:
  a yearning for one's native land.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

desire / dɪˈzaɪə/ verb (transitive)

1. to wish or long for; crave; want
2. to express a wish or make a request for; ask for

noun

1. a wish or longing; craving
2. an expressed wish; request
3. sexual appetite; lust
4. a person or thing that is desired

Etymology: 13th Century: from Old French desirer, from Latin dēsīderāre to desire earnestly; see desiderate

deˈsirer noun