thirsty
13 synonyms and 6 antonyms for thirsty, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Needing or wanting a drink.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use thirsty
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
thirsty for water
thirsty for attention
The "desperate for attention" sense is informal internet slang.
Etymology
From Old English þurstiġ, formed from thirst plus -y.
Full origin of 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.
