What does desiderata mean?
'Desiderata' is the plural of the noun 'desideratum', meaning things that are wanted, needed, or regarded as highly desirable. Borrowed directly from Latin, where it is the neuter plural of the past participle of 'desiderare' (to long for), it entered English scholarly vocabulary in the seventeenth century and has kept its formal, elevated tone ever since. Writers typically use it when itemizing goals, ideals, or requirements — as in 'the great desiderata of a just society' or 'peace and quiet are among my chief desiderata'. Because it is a Latin plural, it should be treated as plural in English ('these desiderata'), with the singular 'desideratum' available for a single desired thing. The word gained unexpected cultural fame through Max Ehrmann's 1927 prose poem 'Desiderata', a meditative list of life's essentials that became a countercultural touchstone in the 1960s and 1970s. Today the term remains most at home in academic, philosophical, and literary prose, where it lends a note of thoughtful aspiration to any catalogue of wants or aims.
noun (plural)The plural of 'desideratum': things that are wanted, needed, or considered highly desirable.
- Things that are needed or strongly desired; the plural form of 'desideratum', used chiefly in formal or philosophical contexts to enumerate what one wishes for or requires.
"Peace of mind and good health are among the great desiderata of a happy life."
"Among the desiderata of modern science is a complete theory of consciousness."
"Her memoir lists the simple desiderata of a well-lived life: friendship, curiosity, and time."
'Desiderata' is already plural; do not add '-s'. The singular 'desideratum' is used when referring to a single desired thing.
"Each desideratum on her list was modest, yet together the desiderata formed a portrait of contentment."
"Desiderata" is famously the title of a 1927 prose poem by Max Ehrmann that was widely mistaken for an anonymous work found in Old St. Paul's Church, Baltimore, dating back to 1692.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of desiderata
'Desiderata' comes straight from Latin, where it is the neuter plural of 'desideratus', the past participle of 'desiderare', meaning 'to long for' or 'to desire'. The verb itself likely derives from 'de-' plus 'sidus' (star), suggesting an original image of longing for the stars. The word entered English in the early seventeenth century in scholarly use, retaining its Latin plural form alongside the singular 'desideratum'. Cognates and relatives include 'desiderate', 'desiderative', and 'desiderium', all drawn from the same Latin root.
How desiderata is actually used
'Desiderata' is a formal, somewhat literary Latin plural that retains its plural form in English; the singular 'desideratum' is rarer but still used. It carries a learned, elevated register and often appears in academic, philosophical, or reflective writing when enumerating goals or ideals.
Easily confused with desiderata
'Desperate' means feeling or showing despair or urgency, while 'desiderata' are simply desired things — the two share only a superficial visual resemblance in spelling.