Meaning & use
desiring someone
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“desiring someone” is a form of “desire someone”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meaning
phrase
The act or feeling of strongly wanting a particular person romantically or physically.
Grammar: Functions as a gerund (noun) or as part of a continuous verb form: 'Desiring someone is natural.' / 'He is desiring someone.'
Patterns
- desiring someone secretly
- desiring someone from afar
- desiring someone who is unavailable
Desiring someone you cannot have can be painful.
She kept desiring him even after he moved away.
The song is about desiring someone who doesn't know you exist.
Common combinations
- desiring someone secretly
- Desiring someone secretly can feel exciting and lonely at the same time.
- desiring someone from afar
- He spent years desiring her from afar.
- desiring someone who is unavailable
- Desiring someone who is unavailable often leads to heartache.
Synonyms and how they differ
- wanting
- More general and less intense; 'wanting someone' can mean simply wishing for their presence, while 'desiring someone' implies romantic or physical attraction.
- longing for
- Suggests a sad, persistent feeling; 'desiring someone' can be more immediate and passionate.
Word family
Practice
Choose the sentence that uses 'desiring someone' correctly.
Choose one answer.
'Desiring someone' works as a gerund subject meaning 'the act of wanting someone romantically.' The other options incorrectly add prepositions or use 'desire' in unrelated meanings like inviting or giving.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “desiring someone”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.