Cool MateDesire vs Wish
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Desire
Top 1,000 (very common)B2noun
Wish
Top 1,000 (very common)A2verb
| Desire | Wish | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/dɪˈzaɪə(r)/"]/🇺🇸 /["/dɪˈzaɪər/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/wɪʃ/","/ˈwɪʃɪz/","/wɪʃt/","/ˈwɪʃɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/wɪʃ/","/ˈwɪʃɪz/","/wɪʃt/","/ˈwɪʃɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | A strong wish for something. | A desire or hope for something to happen. |
| Example | Her desire to travel the world consumed her thoughts daily. | I wish I could travel to Paris this summer. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | A2 |
| Part of speech | noun | verb |
| 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 | dearly, desperately, devoutly, for, dearly, desperately, devoutly, for |
| Antonyms | dislike, aversion, indifference | despair, regret, discontent |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'want' — 'desire' is stronger., Using 'desire' without an object — it needs something to be desired., Misplacing the stress in pronunciation. | Confused with 'want' — 'wish' indicates a stronger hope., Using 'wished' instead of 'wish' for future situations., Mixing up the past and present forms incorrectly. |
| 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. | Used to express a desire for something that is unlikely or impossible. Common in informal contexts; less appropriate in very formal writing. |
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Frequently asked questions: Desire vs Wish
What's the difference between Desire and Wish?
Desire: A strong wish for something. Wish: A desire or hope for something to happen.
Which is more advanced: Desire and Wish?
Desire is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.
Are Desire and Wish the same CEFR level?
Desire: B2, Wish: A2 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Desire and Wish?
Desire: noun, Wish: verb.
Can you show an example of each?
Desire: Her desire to travel the world consumed her thoughts daily. Wish: I wish I could travel to Paris this summer.
Can I use Desire and Wish interchangeably?
Not always. Desire and Wish 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.