thirst

American  

[thurst] / θɜrst /

noun

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

2. 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.

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verb (used without object)

1. to feel thirst; be thirsty.

2. to have a strong desire.

thirst British  

/ 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

   a thirst for knowledge

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verb

1. (intr) to feel a thirst

   to thirst for a drink

   to thirst after righteousness

Other Word Forms

• thirster noun
• unthirsting adjective

Etymology

Origin of thirst

before 900; Middle English thirsten (v.), Old English thyrstan, derivative of thurst (noun); cognate with Dutch dorst, German Durst, Old Norse thorsti, Gothic thaurstei; noun has -i- from the v. or from thirsty; toast ¹

Example Sentences

Or maybe they’re local fans who have a thirst that only 20+ refills can quench.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 31, 2026

But the brain’s task is merely to keep us alive by reading “body-to-brain signals” such as hunger and thirst: The nervous system evolved to “mind the body.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 15, 2026

When your investigation can be derailed by a thirst for retweets, it was never about truth in the first place.

From Salon • Feb. 27, 2026

"It's a blood sport, people do have a blood thirst to watch this sport," Malignaggi says.

From BBC • Feb. 20, 2026

Now they had a new agony—a gagging, unbearable thirst.

From "Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World" by Jennifer Armstrong

Related Words

• appetite
• desire
• eagerness
• hankering
• hunger
• longing
• lust
• passion
• yearning