thirst
thurst
Thirst (noun) means the feeling of needing something to drink. Example: “A cold glass of water finally quenched his thirst.”
noun
1
The feeling of needing something to drink.
"A cold glass of water finally quenched his thirst."
"After the long hike, the children's thirst showed in how fast they emptied their bottles."
"The traveller's thirst grew worse with every hour she walked under the hot sun."
2
A strong desire or craving for something.
"Her thirst for knowledge led her to read every book in the library."
"He has a real thirst for adventure and rarely stays at home."
"The young reporter's thirst for success kept her working late every night."
verb
1
To have a strong craving or desire for something.
"The team thirsted for revenge after last season's defeat."
"Many fans thirst for a win after such a long losing run."
"She thirsted for freedom while living under her strict uncle's roof."
How to use thirst
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe need for a drink, or, figuratively, a strong craving for something else, like knowledge or success.
Common pairings
quench your thirst
thirst for knowledge
thirst for revenge
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Word forms
- Plural
- thirsts
- Third person singular
- thirsts
- Past tense
- thirsted
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A cold glass of water finally quenched his _____.
Etymology
From Old English þurst, related to Latin torridus ("scorched, dry") — the underlying sense is dryness.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for thirst
See all rhymes for thirst →Frequently asked questions
What does “thirst” mean?
The word “thirst” means the feeling of needing something to drink. In plain terms, the need for a drink, or, figuratively, a strong craving for something else, like knowledge or success.
How do you pronounce “thirst”?
“Thirst” is pronounced thurst (/θɝst/ in IPA).
How do you use “thirst” in a sentence?
Here is “thirst” used in a sentence: “A cold glass of water finally quenched his thirst.”
What is another word for “thirst”?
Words with a similar meaning to “thirst” include craving and longing.
What part of speech is “thirst”?
Depending on how it is used, “thirst” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “thirst” come from?
The word “thirst” comes from Latin. From Old English þurst, related to Latin torridus ("scorched, dry") — the underlying sense is dryness.
Is “thirst” a common word?
“Thirst” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “thirst” have?
“Thirst” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the feeling of needing something to drink.
What is the difference between thirst and hunger?
Thirst is the physical need for liquid, while hunger is the physical need for food; both are bodily signals triggered by different deficiencies. Figuratively, both words can also describe a strong desire, as in "a thirst for knowledge" or "a hunger for success."
What does "thirst for" mean when used figuratively?
When used figuratively, "thirst for" describes an intense craving or desire for something non-physical, such as knowledge, power, revenge, or adventure. It carries the same sense of urgency as physical thirst but applied to an ambition or goal.
Is "thirsty" used informally to mean something other than needing a drink?
Yes, in informal and slang usage "thirsty" can describe someone who seems overly eager or desperate for attention, approval, or a relationship. This figurative sense grew out of the word's core meaning of having a strong craving.
