What does desiderate mean?
Desiderate is a formal English verb meaning to strongly desire or long for something, particularly something that is absent, lost, or difficult to obtain. Derived directly from Latin 'desiderare', it carries an elevated, literary register that sets it apart from its common relative 'desire'. The word typically appears in academic writing, literary criticism, or deliberately ornate prose — a scholar might desiderate missing manuscripts, or an exile might be said to desiderate their homeland. It is conjugated regularly as a transitive verb (desiderates, desiderated, desiderating). While rarely heard in conversation, it is closely related to the better-known noun 'desideratum' (plural desiderata), meaning something wanted or needed. Writers reach for desiderate when they wish to lend a sense of gravity, formality, or classical dignity to the simple act of wanting.
verbTo feel or express a strong desire for something; to long for or wish for something earnestly.
- To strongly desire or long for something, especially something absent or unattainable.
"Even after decades abroad, she still desiderated the tastes and sounds of her childhood village."
"The exiled poet desiderated the landscape of his homeland in nearly every verse he wrote."
"Scholars of the period desiderate more complete archival records than survive today."
English borrowed this word straight from Latin 'desiderare' — the same verb that gave us the far more common 'desire', but with a much grander, more bookish air.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of desiderate
Desiderate comes from Latin 'desiderare', meaning 'to long for' or 'to miss', formed from 'de-' plus 'sidus/sideris' (star), originally suggesting longing directed at the stars. English adopted the word in the early 17th century, alongside the related nouns 'desire' and 'desideratum'. Its cognates include the adjective 'desiderative' and the familiar everyday word 'desire', which shares the same Latin root.
Related word forms
How desiderate is actually used
Desiderate is rare, highly formal, and chiefly found in literary, academic, or deliberately ornate prose. In everyday contexts, 'desire', 'long for', or 'yearn for' are far more natural choices.
Easily confused with desiderate
Desiderate is a verb meaning to long for something, while desideratum is a noun referring to something that is desired or needed.