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adj A2 Elementary Uncommon

thirsty

THURS-tee

Thirsty (adj) means needing or wanting a drink. Example: “Running in the heat always makes me thirsty.”

adj
1
Needing or wanting a drink.
"Running in the heat always makes me thirsty."
2
Having a strong desire for something, often used figuratively.
"He was thirsty for success after years of setbacks."
3
Desperately or obviously eager for attention or romantic/sexual interest (slang).
"She thought his constant likes on her photos were a bit thirsty."

How to Use Thirsty

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishWanting a drink — or, in slang, coming across as overly eager for attention.

When to use it

The "desperate for attention" sense is informal internet slang.

Common pairings
thirsty for water thirsty for attention

Word Forms

thirstier comparative, thirsties plural, thirstiest superlative

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Running in the heat always makes me _____.

Etymology

From Old English þurstiġ, formed from thirst plus -y.

Origin: Old English

dehydrated craving yearning eager desperate adry athirst drouthy droughty dry parched thirstful

Antonyms

nonthirsty unthirsty satiated sated slaked

Related Words

Rhymes for thirsty

See all rhymes for thirsty →

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “thirsty” mean?

The word “thirsty” means needing or wanting a drink. In plain terms, wanting a drink — or, in slang, coming across as overly eager for attention.

How do you pronounce “thirsty”?

“Thirsty” is pronounced THURS-tee (/ˈθɝs.ti/ in IPA).

How do you use “thirsty” in a sentence?

Here is “thirsty” used in a sentence: “Running in the heat always makes me thirsty.”

What is another word for “thirsty”?

Words with a similar meaning to “thirsty” include adry, athirst, drouthy, droughty, dry and parched.

What is the opposite of “thirsty”?

The opposite of “thirsty” — its antonyms — are nonthirsty, unthirsty, satiated, sated and slaked.

What part of speech is “thirsty”?

“Thirsty” is an adjective.

Where does the word “thirsty” come from?

The word “thirsty” comes from Old English. From Old English þurstiġ, formed from thirst plus -y.

Is “thirsty” a common word?

“Thirsty” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.

What is the difference between "thirsty" and "dehydrated"?

"Thirsty" describes the feeling or sensation of needing a drink, while "dehydrated" describes an actual physical state of having too little water in the body. A person can feel thirsty without being medically dehydrated, and dehydration can occur before thirst is even noticed.

What does "thirsty" mean in slang, and how is it different from feeling literally thirsty?

As slang, "thirsty" describes someone who is desperately or obviously eager for attention or romantic interest, often seen as coming on too strong. This figurative use is unrelated to needing a drink and is common in informal speech and social media.

What does it mean to be "thirsty for" something?

The phrase "thirsty for" is used figuratively to describe a strong desire for something other than water, such as "thirsty for knowledge" or "thirsty for success." It extends the literal need for a drink into a metaphor for eager craving.

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