The difference between Desire and Need

When used as nouns, desire means someone or something wished for, whereas need means a for something.

When used as verbs, desire means to want, whereas need means to have an absolute requirement for.


check bellow for the other definitions of Desire and Need

  1. Desire as a verb:

    To want; to wish for earnestly.

    Examples:

    "I desire to speak with you."

  2. Desire as a verb:

    To put a request to (someone); to entreat.

  3. Desire as a verb:

    To want emotionally or sexually.

    Examples:

    "She has desired him since they first met."

  4. Desire as a verb:

    To express a wish for; to entreat; to request.

  5. Desire as a verb:

    To require; to demand; to claim.

  6. Desire as a verb:

    To miss; to regret.

  1. Desire as a noun (countable):

    Someone or something wished for.

    Examples:

    "It is my desire to speak with you."

    "You’re my heart’s desire."

  2. Desire as a noun (uncountable):

    Strong attraction, particularly romantic or sexual.

    Examples:

    "His desire for her kept him awake at night."

  3. Desire as a noun (uncountable):

    Motivation.

  4. Desire as a noun (uncountable):

    The feeling of desire.

    Examples:

    "Too much desire can seriously affect one’s judgment."

  1. Need as a noun (countable, and, uncountable):

    A for something; something .

    Examples:

    "There's no need to speculate; we can easily find out for sure."

    "She grew irritated with his constant need for attention."

    "Our needs are not being met."

    "I've always tried to have few needs beyond food, clothing and shelter."

  2. Need as a noun:

    Lack of means of subsistence; poverty; indigence; destitution.

  1. Need as a verb (transitive):

    To have an absolute requirement for.

    Examples:

    "Living things need water to survive."

  2. Need as a verb (transitive):

    To want strongly; to feel that one must have something.

    Examples:

    "After ten days of hiking, I needed a shower and a shave."

  3. Need as a verb (modal verb):

    To be obliged or required (to do something).

    Examples:

    "You need not go if you don't want to."

  4. Need as a verb (intransitive):

    To be required; to be necessary.

  5. Need as a verb (obsolete, transitive):

    To be necessary (to someone).