B2adjective2K

UK/["/ˈdespərət/"]/US/["/ˈdespərət/"]/

Meaning of Desperate

feeling or showing that you have little hope and are ready to do anything without worrying about danger to yourself or others

In simple words: Having a very strong need or desire, often because of sadness or fear.

Desperate in a sentence

  • She felt desperate to find a solution before the deadline.
  • In his desperate attempt to win her back, he wrote her a heartfelt letter.
  • The team's desperate situation called for immediate action.
  • After days without food, the hikers became desperate for help.
  • His desperate act of kindness surprised everyone.

How to use Desperate

Use 'desperate' to describe strong feelings of need or hopelessness, often in serious contexts. It can be inappropriate in light-hearted conversations.

Grammar pattern

desperate + for/about

Memory hint

Desperate sounds like 'despair-it'—imagine someone in great need saying, 'I can't despair, I need it now!'

Related words

Synonyms for Desperate

Opposites of Desperate

Common mistakes with Desperate

  • Confusing 'desperate' with 'despairing'; they have different meanings.
  • Using 'desperate' when 'urgent' would be more appropriate.
  • Misplacing the focus may lead to awkward or confusing sentences.

Compare Desperate with Urgent, Dismal, Hasty, Reckless

Desperate appears in

Desperate in other languages

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Frequently asked questions about Desperate

What does Desperate mean?

Having a very strong need or desire, often because of sadness or fear.

What is the definition of Desperate?

feeling or showing that you have little hope and are ready to do anything without worrying about danger to yourself or others

How do you use Desperate in a sentence?

She felt desperate to find a solution before the deadline.

Can you give another example of Desperate?

In his desperate attempt to win her back, he wrote her a heartfelt letter.

What are synonyms for Desperate?

Common alternatives include urgent, frantic, dismal, hasty, reckless.

What is the opposite of Desperate?

Opposite meanings include hopeful, content, calm.

What words go with Desperate?

It commonly pairs with be, feel, look, extremely, fairly, very, about, be, feel, look, extremely, fairly, very, about, be, feel, look, extremely, fairly, very, about.

What are common mistakes when using Desperate?

Confusing 'desperate' with 'despairing'; they have different meanings. Using 'desperate' when 'urgent' would be more appropriate. Misplacing the focus may lead to awkward or confusing sentences.

How do you pronounce Desperate?

US: /["/ˈdespərət/"]/, UK: /["/ˈdespərət/"]/. Listen to the audio above to hear native pronunciation.

When should I use Desperate?

Use 'desperate' to describe strong feelings of need or hopelessness, often in serious contexts. It can be inappropriate in light-hearted conversations.

What CEFR level is Desperate?

"Desperate" is at B2 level on the CEFR scale.