désir

desire

noun deh-ZEER Less Common

Also means

longing

Usage Note

Désir is stronger and more emotionally charged than envie (a passing want). Avoir le désir de faire quelque chose is a formal way to express wanting to do something. The related verb désirer is used in formal service contexts — Que désirez-vous? is a polite 'What would you like?'

Examples

"Son désir de voyager est très fort."

Natural Translation

His desire to travel is very strong.

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