Meaning & use
desired
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“desired” is a form of “desire”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
adjectivebefore a noun
Wanted or wished for; aimed at or intended.
Grammar: Used before a noun: 'the desired result'. It is not usually used after a linking verb like 'be' in this sense.
Patterns
- the desired effect
- the desired outcome
- leave much to be desired
The medicine had the desired effect and the pain soon stopped.
Please adjust the settings until you get the desired result.
Her performance left a lot to be desired.
verbtransitiveformal
Past tense and past participle of desire: wanted something strongly.
Grammar: Takes an object: 'She desired a quiet life.' The verb is formal; in everyday speech, 'wanted' is more common.
Patterns
- desired something
- desired to do something
He desired nothing more than a peaceful retirement.
They desired a change of scene after many years in the city.
Word forms
| third person singular | desires |
|---|---|
| past tense | desired |
| past participle | desired |
| -ing form | desiring |
Common combinations
- desired effect
- The new policy had the desired effect of reducing traffic.
- desired outcome
- We must work together to achieve the desired outcome.
- leave a lot to be desired
- The hotel was clean, but the service left a lot to be desired.
- desired result
- It may take time to see the desired result.
Synonyms and how they differ
- wanted
- Wanted is the everyday word; desired is more formal and often suggests a planned or intended goal.
- intended
- Intended focuses on what was planned, while desired focuses on what is wished for.
- wished-for
- Wished-for is more emotional; desired is more neutral and often used in instructions.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: desired or decided? desired or deserted?
desired vs decided
Decided means 'made a choice'; desired means 'wanted'. They sound a little similar but have different meanings.
desired vs deserted
Deserted means 'empty' or 'abandoned'; desired means 'wanted'.
Practice
The new software did not have the ______ effect, so the team tried a different approach.
Choose one answer.
We need an adjective before the noun 'effect'. 'Desired' is the adjective meaning 'wanted'. 'Desiring' is a participle but does not fit here; 'desire' and 'desires' are verbs or nouns and cannot directly modify 'effect' in this way.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “desired”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.