Craving vs. Desire — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Published on October 12, 2023
Craving refers to an intense, often short-term yearning, typically for specific items or experiences, while desire denotes a broader and more enduring longing or wish for something.
Difference Between Craving and Desire
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
Craving and desire are both related to wanting something, but they manifest differently in intensity, duration, and specificity. Craving, for instance, tends to be an intense, often overwhelming urge. This urge can be for specific items or experiences, like a pregnant woman craving pickles or someone craving a specific genre of music.
Desire, on the other hand, is a more general longing or wish for something, often persisting over a longer time. One might have a desire to travel the world, or a student may harbor a desire to excel in academics. This longing is broader and can encompass various aspects of life.
Another dimension to consider is the temporal nature. Cravings can be more immediate and short-lived, like the craving to eat a particular dish. Once fulfilled, the craving subsides. Desires, in contrast, may linger and often motivate sustained effort or action over a more extended period, like the desire to achieve a career goal.
In some contexts, cravings can be associated with addictions or habits, where the body or mind intensely yearns for something, often to a degree where it feels almost essential for well-being. Desire does not necessarily carry this intense, urgent connotation and can simply be a reflection of a person's aspirations, hopes, or wants.
Comparison Chart
Definition
An intense, specific yearning.
A broad, enduring longing or wish.
ADVERTISEMENT
Duration
Often short-lived.
Can be long-lasting.
Specificity
Typically for specific items/experiences
More general in nature.
Association
Can be tied to habits or addictions.
Reflects aspirations or broader wants.
Intensity
Generally more intense and immediate.
Less intense, more enduring.
Compare with Definitions
Craving
A compelling desire, especially for food or drink.
The pregnant woman had strange food cravings.
Desire
A long-held wish or ambition.
Her desire to become a doctor was evident.
Craving
An intense yearning for a specific thing.
She had a sudden craving for chocolate.
Desire
A feeling of wanting something.
He expressed a desire to visit Europe.
Craving
A powerful urge often tied to habits.
His craving for nicotine was hard to ignore.
Desire
A general inclination or liking.
There's a growing desire for sustainable products.
Craving
A short-lived, overwhelming want.
He had a midnight craving for ice cream.
Desire
A motivational force towards a goal.
The team's desire to win was palpable.
Craving
A passionate need for a particular experience.
She felt a craving to hear live music.
Desire
A yearning or aspiration for something.
The artist had a deep desire to innovate.
Craving
A consuming desire; a yearning.
Desire
To wish or long for; want
A reporter who desires an interview.
A teen who desires to travel.
Craving
A strong desire; yearning.
Desire
To express a wish for; request.
Craving
Present participle of crave
Desire
The feeling of wanting to have something or wishing that something will happen.
Craving
Vehement or urgent desire; longing for; beseeching.
A succession of cravings and satiety.
Desire
An instance of this feeling
She had a lifelong desire to visit China.
Craving
An intense desire for some particular thing
Desire
An object of such feeling or passion
A quiet evening with you is my only desire.
Desire
(Archaic) A request or petition.
Desire
To want; to wish for earnestly.
I desire to speak with you.
Desire
To put a request to (someone); to entreat.
Desire
To express a wish for; to entreat; to request.
Desire
To require; to demand; to claim.
Desire
To miss; to regret.
Desire
(countable) Someone or something wished for.
It is my desire to speak with you.
You’re my heart’s desire.
Desire
(uncountable) The feeling of desiring; an eager longing for something.
Too much desire can seriously affect one’s judgment.
Desire
(uncountable) Motivation. en
Desire
To long for; to wish for earnestly; to covet.
Neither shall any man desire thy land.
Ye desire your child to live.
Desire
To express a wish for; to entreat; to request.
Then she said, Did I desire a son of my lord?
Desire him to go in; trouble him no more.
Desire
To require; to demand; to claim.
A doleful case desires a doleful song.
Desire
To miss; to regret.
She shall be pleasant while she lives, and desired when she dies.
Desire
The natural longing that is excited by the enjoyment or the thought of any good, and impels to action or effort its continuance or possession; an eager wish to obtain or enjoy.
Unspeakable desire to see and know.
Desire
An expressed wish; a request; petition.
And slowly was my mother broughtTo yield consent to my desire.
Desire
Anything which is desired; an object of longing.
The Desire of all nations shall come.
Desire
Excessive or morbid longing; lust; appetite.
Desire
Grief; regret.
Desire
The feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state
Desire
An inclination to want things;
A man of many desires
Desire
Something that is desired
Desire
Feel or have a desire for; want strongly;
I want to go home now
I want my own room
Desire
Expect and wish;
I trust you will behave better from now on
I hope she understands that she cannot expect a raise
Desire
Express a desire for
Common Curiosities
Can a craving lead to addiction?
In some contexts, repeated and intense cravings can be associated with addiction.
Can desires be specific like cravings?
Yes, while desires are often broader, they can be specific too.
Can desires be tied to life goals?
Yes, desires often reflect broader aspirations or life goals.
Can desire be short-lived?
Typically, desires are more enduring, but they can occasionally be short-lived.
Is every craving intense?
Generally, cravings are characterized by their intensity, but it can vary among individuals.
Is craving always about food?
No, while often associated with food, cravings can be for experiences, objects, or feelings.
Can someone have a desire for knowledge?
Absolutely, a desire for knowledge is common and can motivate learning.
Can cravings be psychological?
Yes, cravings can be both physiological and psychological.
Do all humans have desires?
Yes, desire is a fundamental human experience, though its nature and focus can vary.
Are cravings only negative?
Not necessarily; while sometimes seen in negative contexts (like addiction), they can be benign or positive.
Can one's career ambition be termed as a desire?
Yes, a career ambition is a form of long-lasting desire.
Can you crave a feeling, like happiness?
Yes, people can crave feelings or emotional states.
How does one differentiate between a craving and a desire?
Cravings are more intense, specific, and often short-lived, while desires are broader and more enduring.
Can a craving be satisfied permanently?
Typically, once fulfilled, a specific craving subsides, but it might recur.
Are desires always aspirational?
Often, but not always. Desires can be simple wants or deeper aspirations.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Void Agreement vs. Void Contract
Next Comparison
Primary Sector vs. Secondary SectorAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
