Cool MateDesire vs Want it for yourself
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Desire
Top 1,000 (very common)B2noun
Want it for yourself
Beyond 10,000 (less common)
Most common: Desire
| Desire | Want it for yourself | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/dɪˈzaɪə(r)/"]/🇺🇸 /["/dɪˈzaɪər/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //wɒnt ɪt fɔː jɔːrˈsɛlf//🇺🇸 //wɔnt ɪt fɔr jʊrˈsɛlf// |
| Meaning | A strong wish for something. | To desire something only for yourself. |
| Example | Her desire to travel the world consumed her thoughts daily. | She really wants it for herself, not to share with anyone. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | - |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | burning, deep, fervent, feel, harbour/harbor, have, desire for, an object of desire, burning, deep, fervent, feel, harbour/harbor, have, desire for, an object of desire | want it for yourself, keep it for yourself, do it for yourself |
| Antonyms | dislike, aversion, indifference | share, distribute, give |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'want' — 'desire' is stronger., Using 'desire' without an object — it needs something to be desired., Misplacing the stress in pronunciation. | Using 'want it for you' instead of 'for yourself'., Confusing it with 'want it for me'. |
| Usage notes | Used in both spoken and written English. It's appropriate in neutral contexts but might feel too strong or formal in casual conversations. Phrases like 'a desire to travel' are common. | This phrase is often used when someone expresses selfish desire. It's appropriate in discussions about personal needs but may come off as self-centered. |
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Frequently asked questions: Desire vs Want it for yourself
What's the difference between Desire and Want it for yourself?
Desire: A strong wish for something. Want it for yourself: To desire something only for yourself.
Which is more common: Desire and Want it for yourself?
Desire is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Desire: Her desire to travel the world consumed her thoughts daily. Want it for yourself: She really wants it for herself, not to share with anyone.
Can I use Desire and Want it for yourself interchangeably?
Not always. Desire and Want it for yourself are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.