lust — a very strong sexual desire, or a very strong desire for something
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: a very strong sexual desire, or a very strong desire for something
Pronunciation (IPA): /lʌst/
Example Sentences
- My coworker has such a lust for gossip that he knows everyone's business before they do.
- The politician's lust for fame led him to make several embarrassing public statements.
- She looked at the chocolate cake with pure lust, forgetting all about her diet.
lust
NOUN[/lʌst/]
a very strong sexual desire, or a very strong desire for something
The pirate's eyes burn with lust when he sees the mountain of gold coins.
Got the picture? Now let's practice.
🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
Lust derives from Old English 'lust', originally denoting neutral pleasure or desire, which traces back to the Proto-Germanic root 'lustuz' meaning desire or joy. Over time, particularly through religious and moral contexts, the term's meaning narrowed and intensified to refer specifically to uncontrolled sexual desire, acquiring increasingly negative connotations.
Breakdown
The word stems from Proto-Germanic 'lustuz' (desire, pleasure), which evolved into Old English 'lust' with the same dual meaning of pleasure and longing. The semantic shift from neutral desire to morally condemned sexual appetite reflects historical changes in cultural and religious attitudes rather than linguistic morphology.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My coworker has such a lust for gossip that he knows everyone's business before they do.”
“The politician's lust for fame led him to make several embarrassing public statements.”
“She looked at the chocolate cake with pure lust, forgetting all about her diet.”
“Many wars throughout history have been driven by a lust for territory and resources.”
📚Related Words
Want to master 27,000+ words?
Sign up free for flashcards & quizzes.