lust

1 of 2

noun

ˈləst 

1

: usually intense or unbridled sexual desire : lasciviousness

He was motivated more by lust than by love.

2

a

: an intense longing : craving

a lust to succeed

b

: enthusiasm, eagerness

admired his lust for life

3

obsolete

a

: pleasure, delight

b

: personal inclination : wish

lust

2 of 2

verb

lusted; lusting; lusts

intransitive verb

: to have an intense desire or need : crave

specifically : to have a sexual urge

Synonyms

Noun

• ardor
• concupiscence
• eros
• eroticism
• horniness
• itch
• lustfulness
• passion

Verb

• ache (for)
• covet
• crave
• desiderate
• desire
• die (for)
• hanker (for or after)
• hunger (for)
• itch (for)
• jones (for) [slang]
• long (for)
• pant (after)
• pine (for)
• repine (for)
• salivate (for)
• sigh (for)
• thirst (for)
• want
• wish (for)
• yearn (for)
• yen (for)

Examples of lust in a Sentence

Noun

He was consumed by lust.

He was driven by a lust for power.

Lust for chocolate drew her into the candy store.

Verb

I'm lusting after that new SUV

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Related Stories In the series finale, George’s insatiable lust for power reaches a point of no return. —Max Gao, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 May 2024

The show is a saga not about simmering teenage blood lust or the freaky, warped horrors of girldom, but rather about the natural contours of regrets, the bittersweetness of regarding one’s youthful passions. —Margaret Lyons, New York Times, 16 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German lust pleasure and perhaps to Latin lascivus wanton

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3a

Verb

12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing lust

• lust for life

Kids Definition

lust

1 of 2 noun

ˈləst 

1

: sexual desire especially if strong or uncontrolled

2

: a strong longing : craving

lust

2 of 2 verb

: to have a strong desire : crave

especially : to have a strong sexual desire