Meaning & use
lusting
Last updated
“lusting” is a form of “lust”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
verbintransitive
Feeling a very strong, often sexual, desire for someone.
Grammar: No object; it is followed by 'after' or 'for': lusting after someone.
Patterns
- lusting after someone
- lusting for someone
He admitted he had been lusting after his coworker for months.
She felt guilty for lusting after a man she barely knew.
verbintransitivefigurative
Wanting something very much, especially in a way that seems excessive.
Grammar: No object; typically used with 'after' or 'for' and often suggests envy or greed.
Patterns
- lusting after something
- lusting for something
He spent the whole meeting lusting after the manager's job.
They were lusting for power more than for money.
Common combinations
- lusting after someone
- He was lusting after her from the moment they met.
- lusting for power
- The rebels were lusting for power, not justice.
- caught lusting
- He was caught lusting after his friend's girlfriend.
Synonyms and how they differ
- desiring
- More general and less intense; 'desiring' can be used for anything you want, while 'lusting' is usually sexual or greedy.
- craving
- Often used for food or habits; it does not carry the sexual or moral tone of 'lusting'.
Word family
Commonly confused: lusting or listing?
lusting vs listing
A different word meaning 'making a list' or 'leaning to one side'; it sounds similar but is not related.
Practice
She couldn't stop ______ after the expensive car in the showroom window.
Choose one answer.
The sentence needs the -ing form after 'couldn't stop', and 'lusting' is the correct present participle. 'Lust' is the base form and does not fit after 'stop'; 'lustful' and 'lusty' are adjectives.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “lusting”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.