Desire vs. Wish: Difference and Comparison
Edited by Muazma Batool — By Muneeza Rehman — Updated on September 9, 2023
"Desire" implies a strong feeling of wanting, often rooted in emotion or passion, while "wish" suggests a general hope or want, typically without a concrete plan.
Difference Between Desire and Wish
"Desire" and "wish" both touch on the human capacity to want something. However, "desire" often carries a deeper, more intense connotation. It can imply a passionate yearning or craving for something. For instance, one might desire success, not just in a superficial sense, but as an intrinsic need tied to their personal or professional identity. This word often reflects something that might be rooted deeply within one's emotions or passions.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 09, 2023
On the other hand, "wish" denotes a more gentle form of wanting. It can be equated to hoping for something. When someone makes a wish, it's an expression of a hopeful want or a general aspiration, without necessarily implying the depth or intensity found in desire. Wishing doesn't always involve concrete plans or steps to achieve what's wished for. For example, one might wish for good weather or wish someone well, without having any influence over the outcome.
Muazma Batool
Sep 09, 2023
The contexts in which these words are used can also help in distinguishing them. "Desire" is often used in romantic or ambitious contexts, pointing to deep-seated feelings or aspirations. In contrast, "wish" is versatile and can be used in casual, formal, or even superstitious contexts, like making a wish on a shooting star.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 09, 2023
In terms of action, a desire might lead someone to take specific steps or make changes to achieve what they want. A wish, however, might not necessarily propel one into action. It remains more in the realm of hope. Hence, while both words indicate a form of wanting, "desire" is about passionate yearning and possibly pursuing, while "wish" is about hoping without a specified path of attainment.
Nolan
Sep 09, 2023
Desire vs. Wish Comparison Chart
Associated Actions
May lead to specific steps or changes
Less likely to propel one into action
Muazma Batool
Sep 09, 2023
Depth
Rooted deeply in emotions or passions
Surface-level, not as deep-seated
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 09, 2023
Specificity
Often specific and targeted
Broad, general, without a concrete plan
Muazma Batool
Sep 09, 2023
Desire vs. Wish Definitions
◉Desire
A deep-rooted yearning or craving.
She had a strong desire to travel the world.
Olivia
Sep 09, 2023
◉Wish
A polite expression of hope for someone.
I wish you all the best in your endeavors.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 09, 2023
◉Desire
A passionate aspiration or ambition.
His desire to succeed was evident in his dedication.
Leo
Sep 09, 2023
◉Wish
A feeling that one would like to have or do something or to see something happen; a desire, longing, or strong inclination for a specific thing.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Desire
A strong wish or hope.
Her desire for knowledge led her to read extensively.
Olivia
Sep 09, 2023
◉Wish
An expression of a desire, longing, or strong inclination
carried out the wishes included in the will.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Wish
An expression of desire for the happiness or success of another
sent me his best wishes.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Wish
Something desired or longed for
finally got his wish to see the ocean.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Desire
To wish or long for; want
a reporter who desires an interview.
a teen who desires to travel.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Wish
To feel or express a desire for
I wish them good luck. He wished her good night.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Wish
To order, entreat, or request
I wish you to go. I wish it to be known that I disagree.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Desire
The feeling of wanting to have something or wishing that something will happen.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Wish
To desire (something bad) to happen to someone
I would not wish such an illness on anyone.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Desire
An instance of this feeling
She had a lifelong desire to visit China.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Desire
An object of such feeling or passion
A quiet evening with you is my only desire.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Wish
A desire, hope, or longing for something or for something to happen.
have a wish
make someone's wish come true
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Wish
An expression of such a desire, often connected with ideas of magic and supernatural power.
make a wish
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Wish
The thing desired or longed for.
My dearest wish is to see them happily married.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Desire
To want emotionally or sexually.
She has desired him since they first met.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Wish
To hope (for a particular outcome), even if that outcome is unlikely to occur or cannot occur.
I wish I could go back in time and teach myself what I know now.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Wish
(ditransitive) To bestow (a thought or gesture) towards (someone or something).
We wish you a Merry Christmas.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Desire
(countable) Someone or something wished for.
It is my desire to speak with you.
You’re my heart’s desire.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Desire
(uncountable) Strong attraction, particularly romantic or sexual.
His desire for her kept him awake at night.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Wish
(transitive) To recommend; to seek confidence or favour on behalf of.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Desire
(uncountable) The feeling of desiring; an eager longing for something.
Too much desire can seriously affect one’s judgment.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Wish
To have a desire or yearning; to long; to hanker.
They cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day.
This is as good an argument as an antiquary could wish for.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Wish
To desire; to long for; to hanker after; to have a mind or disposition toward.
I would not wishAny companion in the world but you.
I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Desire
To long for; to wish for earnestly; to covet.
Neither shall any man desire thy land.
Ye desire your child to live.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Wish
To frame or express desires concerning; to invoke in favor of, or against, any one; to attribute, or cal down, in desire; to invoke; to imprecate.
I would not wish them to a fairer death.
I wish it may not prove some ominous foretoken of misfortune to have met with such a miser as I am.
Let them be driven backward, and put to shame, that wish me evil.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Desire
To express a wish for; to entreat; to request.
Then she said, Did I desire a son of my lord?
Desire him to go in; trouble him no more.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Wish
To recommend; to seek confidence or favor in behalf of.
I would be glad to thrive, sir,And I was wished to your worship by a gentleman.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Desire
To require; to demand; to claim.
A doleful case desires a doleful song.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Wish
Desire; eager desire; longing.
Behold, I am according to thy wish in God a stead.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Desire
To miss; to regret.
She shall be pleasant while she lives, and desired when she dies.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Wish
Expression of desire; request; petition; hence, invocation or imprecation.
Blistered be thy tongue for such a wish.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Desire
The natural longing that is excited by the enjoyment or the thought of any good, and impels to action or effort its continuance or possession; an eager wish to obtain or enjoy.
Unspeakable desire to see and know.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Wish
A thing desired; an object of desire.
Will he, wise, let loose at once his ire . . . To give his enemies their wish!
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Desire
An expressed wish; a request; petition.
And slowly was my mother broughtTo yield consent to my desire.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Wish
a specific feeling of desire;
he got his wish
he was above all wishing and desire
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Desire
Anything which is desired; an object of longing.
The Desire of all nations shall come.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Wish
an expression of some desire or inclination;
I could tell that it was his wish that the guests leave
his crying was an indirect request for attention
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Wish
(usually plural) a polite expression of desire for someone's welfare;
give him my kind regards
my best wishes
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Wish
the particular preference that you have;
it was his last wish
they should respect the wishes of the people
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Wish
prefer or wish to do something;
Do you care to try this dish?
Would you like to come along to the movies?
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Desire
feel or have a desire for; want strongly;
I want to go home now
I want my own room
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Desire
expect and wish;
I trust you will behave better from now on
I hope she understands that she cannot expect a raise
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Wish
A casual or superstitious expression of desire.
He made a wish upon the shooting star.
Muazma Batool
Sep 09, 2023
Desire vs. Wish Frequently Asked Questions
Can a wish be as intense as a desire?
Typically, a wish is less intense and more general than a desire.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 09, 2023
What is a desire?
Desire indicates a strong, deep-seated feeling of wanting something.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 09, 2023
Is desire always tied to emotions?
Desire often has emotional or passionate undertones, though it can also relate to ambitions.
Elijah
Sep 09, 2023
How does a wish differ from a desire?
A wish suggests a general hope or want without a concrete plan or intense passion.
Muazma Batool
Sep 09, 2023
Would hoping for good weather be a wish or a desire?
It would generally be considered a wish.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 09, 2023
In what context might "desire" be more appropriate than "wish"?
In romantic or deeply ambitious contexts, "desire" might be more fitting.
Olivia
Sep 09, 2023
Does desire always lead to action?
While desires are strong, they don't always result in actions. However, they're more likely to than simple wishes.
Henry
Sep 09, 2023
Is making a wish on a birthday candle linked to desire?
Making a wish is more a hopeful gesture, but the underlying want can be a desire.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 09, 2023
Can you "wish" someone something?
Yes, you can wish someone well or wish them happiness.
Levi
Sep 09, 2023
How does one express a casual hope?
One might use "wish" to express a casual hope, such as wishing for a sunny day.
Kaitlyn
Sep 09, 2023
Content Creators
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Muazma BatoolAs a content editor, Muazma Batool is not just a grammar guru but a creative mastermind who breathes life into every word. With an eagle eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, she transforms bland text into engaging content that captivates audiences and drives results.
