Want vs. Desire — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on March 13, 2024
Want is a basic or urgent need for something, often tangible and immediate, while desire is a deeper, sometimes emotional longing for something, possibly intangible or luxurious.
Difference Between Want and Desire
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Wants are often driven by basic needs or necessities, such as food, shelter, or clothing, which are essential for survival or daily functioning. These needs are usually immediate and specific. On the other hand, desires refer to deeper yearnings for things that may not be essential for survival but enhance one’s quality of life or happiness, like owning a luxury car or traveling the world. Desires are often aspirational and linked to personal fulfillment.
Wants can be influenced by immediate circumstances or requirements, such as wanting a drink when thirsty or needing a new pair of shoes because the old ones are worn out. Desires, however, stem from a deeper place within individuals, often shaped by personal values, dreams, or the influence of societal norms and expectations. They are less about survival and more about personal or emotional satisfaction.
The fulfillment of wants is usually associated with short-term satisfaction or relief, addressing an immediate need or gap. Fulfilling a desire, however, offers a deeper sense of satisfaction or joy, contributing to long-term happiness or the achievement of personal goals. The gratification from desires is often more enduring and emotionally rewarding.
Wants are typically easier to identify and articulate because they are linked to everyday needs or activities. In contrast, desires might be more complex or difficult to express, as they can involve emotional or psychological aspects that are not always straightforward. Desires require introspection and awareness of one’s deeper self.
The pursuit of wants is generally more straightforward, involving practical steps or decisions, like purchasing a necessary item. Pursuing desires might involve more complex planning, resources, or a longer timeframe, as they often encompass broader life goals or aspirations beyond immediate needs.
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Comparison Chart
Nature
Basic need or necessity
Deeper, emotional longing
Fulfillment
Short-term satisfaction
Long-term happiness
Origin
Immediate circumstances
Personal values or dreams
Complexity
Easier to identify and fulfill
More complex and enduring
Examples
Buying groceries, replacing worn-out shoes
Traveling, owning luxury items
Compare with Definitions
Want
Fulfilling a want addresses a direct need.
She wants to save money for her education.
Desire
A desire is a deeper yearning for something possibly luxurious or non-essential.
He desires to own a beachfront home.
Want
Wants can be immediate and specific.
He wants an umbrella because it's raining outside.
Desire
Fulfilling a desire leads to long-term happiness.
He desires to become a renowned artist.
Want
Wants are linked to survival or functionality.
They want a reliable car for daily commuting.
Desire
Desires are tied to emotional satisfaction.
They desire a fulfilling and passionate relationship.
Want
Wants are often essential for daily life.
They want to buy a new air conditioner before summer.
Desire
Desires can be aspirational and complex.
She desires to make a significant impact through her charity work.
Want
A want refers to a basic need or requirement.
She wants a cup of coffee to start her day.
Desire
Desires enhance quality of life.
She desires to travel the world and experience different cultures.
Want
The idea of want can be examined from many perspectives. In secular societies want might be considered similar to the emotion desire, which can be studied scientifically through the disciplines of psychology or sociology.
Desire
Desires are states of mind that are expressed by terms like "wanting", "wishing", "longing" or "craving". A great variety of features is commonly associated with desires.
Want
Have a desire to possess or do (something); wish for
We want to go to the beach
She wanted me to leave
I'll give you a lift into town if you want
I want an apple
Desire
To wish or long for; want
A reporter who desires an interview.
A teen who desires to travel.
Want
Should or need to do something
You don't want to believe everything you hear
Desire
To express a wish for; request.
Want
Lack something desirable or essential
You shall want for nothing while you are with me
Desire
The feeling of wanting to have something or wishing that something will happen.
Want
A lack or deficiency of something
For want of a better location we ate our picnic in the cemetery
Victorian houses which are in want of repair
Desire
An instance of this feeling
She had a lifelong desire to visit China.
Want
A desire for something
The expression of our wants and desires
Desire
An object of such feeling or passion
A quiet evening with you is my only desire.
Want
To have a strong feeling to have (something); wish (to possess or do something); desire greatly
She wants a glass of water. They want to leave.
Desire
(Archaic) A request or petition.
Want
To desire (someone to do something)
I want you to clean your room.
Desire
To want; to wish for earnestly.
I desire to speak with you.
Want
To request the presence or assistance of
You are wanted by your office.
Desire
To put a request to (someone); to entreat.
Want
To seek with intent to capture
The fugitive is wanted by the police.
Desire
To express a wish for; to entreat; to request.
Want
To have an inclination toward; like
Say what you want, but be tactful.
Desire
To require; to demand; to claim.
Want
(Informal) To be obliged (to do something)
You want to be careful on the ice.
Desire
To miss; to regret.
Want
To be in need of; require
"'Your hair wants cutting,' said the Hatter" (Lewis Carroll).
Desire
(countable) Someone or something wished for.
It is my desire to speak with you.
You’re my heart’s desire.
Want
To be without; lack.
Desire
(uncountable) The feeling of desiring; an eager longing for something.
Too much desire can seriously affect one’s judgment.
Want
To be inclined or desirous; wish
Call me daily if you want.
Desire
(uncountable) Motivation. en
Want
The condition or quality of lacking something usual or necessary
Stayed home for want of anything better to do.
Desire
To long for; to wish for earnestly; to covet.
Neither shall any man desire thy land.
Ye desire your child to live.
Want
Pressing need; destitution
Lives in want.
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.
Want
Something desired
A person of few wants and needs.
Desire
To require; to demand; to claim.
A doleful case desires a doleful song.
Want
A defect of character; a fault.
Desire
To miss; to regret.
She shall be pleasant while she lives, and desired when she dies.
Want
(transitive) To wish for or desire (something); to feel a need or desire for; to crave or demand.
What do you want to eat?
I want you to leave.
Never wanted to go back to live with my mother.
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.
Want
(by extension) To make it easy or tempting to do something undesirable, or to make it hard or challenging to refrain from doing it.
The game developers of Candy Crush want you to waste large, copious amounts of your money on in-game purchases to buy boosters and lives.
Depression wants you to feel like the world is dark and that you are not worthy of happiness. The first step to making your life better from this day forward is to stop believing these lies.
Desire
An expressed wish; a request; petition.
And slowly was my mother broughtTo yield consent to my desire.
Want
To wish, desire, or demand to see, have the presence of or do business with.
Ma’am, you are exactly the professional we want for this job.
Danish police want him for embezzlement.
Desire
Anything which is desired; an object of longing.
The Desire of all nations shall come.
Want
(intransitive) To desire (to experience desire); to wish.
You can leave if you want.
Desire
Excessive or morbid longing; lust; appetite.
Want
To lack and be in need of or require (something, such as a noun or verbal noun).
That chair wants fixing.
Desire
Grief; regret.
Want
To have occasion for (something requisite or useful); to require or need.
Desire
The feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state
Want
To be lacking or deficient or absent.
There was something wanting in the play.
Desire
An inclination to want things;
A man of many desires
Want
To be in a state of destitution; to be needy; to lack.
The paupers desperately want.
Desire
Something that is desired
Want
To lack and be without, to not have (something).
She wanted anything she needed.
Desire
Feel or have a desire for; want strongly;
I want to go home now
I want my own room
Want
To lack and (be able to) do without.
Desire
Expect and wish;
I trust you will behave better from now on
I hope she understands that she cannot expect a raise
Want
(countable) A desire, wish, longing.
Desire
Express a desire for
Want
Lack, absence, deficiency.
A want of sense.
Want
(uncountable) Poverty.
Want
Something needed or desired; a thing of which the loss is felt.
Want
A depression in coal strata, hollowed out before the subsequent deposition took place.
Want
(dialectal) A mole (Talpa europea).
Want
The state of not having; the condition of being without anything; absence or scarcity of what is needed or desired; deficiency; lack; as, a want of power or knowledge for any purpose; want of food and clothing.
And me, his parent, would full soon devourFor want of other prey.
From having wishes in consequence of our wants, we often feel wants in consequence of our wishes.
Pride is as loud a beggar as want, and more saucy.
Want
Specifically, absence or lack of necessaries; destitution; poverty; penury; indigence; need.
Nothing is so hard for those who abound in riches, as to conceive how others can be in want.
Want
That which is needed or desired; a thing of which the loss is felt; what is not possessed, and is necessary for use or pleasure.
Habitual superfluities become actual wants.
Want
A depression in coal strata, hollowed out before the subsequent deposition took place.
Want
To be without; to be destitute of, or deficient in; not to have; to lack; as, to want knowledge; to want judgment; to want learning; to want food and clothing.
They that want honesty, want anything.
Nor think, though men were none,That heaven would want spectators, God want praise.
The unhappy never want enemies.
Want
To have occasion for, as useful, proper, or requisite; to require; to need; as, in winter we want a fire; in summer we want cooling breezes.
Want
To feel need of; to wish or long for; to desire; to crave.
I want to speak to you about something.
Want
To be absent; to be deficient or lacking; to fail; not to be sufficient; to fall or come short; to lack; - often used impersonally with of; as, it wants ten minutes of four.
The disposition, the manners, and the thoughts are all before it; where any of those are wanting or imperfect, so much wants or is imperfect in the imitation of human life.
Want
A state of extreme poverty
Want
The state of needing something that is absent or unavailable;
There is a serious lack of insight into the problem
Water is the critical deficiency in desert regions
For want of a nail the shoe was lost
Want
Anything that is necessary but lacking;
He had sufficient means to meet his simple needs
I tried to supply his wants
Want
A specific feeling of desire;
He got his wish
He was above all wishing and desire
Want
Feel or have a desire for; want strongly;
I want to go home now
I want my own room
Want
Have need of;
This piano wants the attention of a competent tuner
Want
Wish or demand the presence of;
I want you here at noon!
Want
Hunt or look for; want for a particular reason;
Your former neighbor is wanted by the FBI
Uncle Sam wants you
Want
Be without, lack; be deficient in;
Want courtesy
Want the strength to go on living
Flood victims wanting food and shelter
Common Curiosities
How can one distinguish between a want and a desire?
A want is typically immediate and practical, while a desire is deeper and often tied to emotional fulfillment.
Can the fulfillment of wants lead to happiness?
Yes, fulfilling wants can lead to short-term happiness by meeting basic needs.
Are desires always unrealistic?
No, desires are not always unrealistic; many can be achieved with planning and effort.
Do all people have the same wants and desires?
No, wants and desires vary greatly among individuals, influenced by personal experiences, culture, and values.
Can a want become a desire?
Yes, a want can evolve into a desire if it gains emotional or aspirational significance.
How do societal norms influence desires?
Societal norms can shape desires by setting expectations on what is desirable or aspirational.
Is it possible to fulfill all desires?
While not all desires may be fulfilled, many can be achieved through dedicated effort and planning.
Is it bad to have desires?
No, having desires is natural and can motivate individuals to achieve personal fulfillment.
How can desires influence behavior?
Desires can motivate behavior towards achieving long-term goals and personal fulfillment.
Can desires change over time?
Yes, desires can change as individuals grow and their circumstances or values evolve.
Why are desires important?
Desires are important as they drive personal growth, satisfaction, and the pursuit of long-term goals.
How should one prioritize wants and desires?
Prioritizing based on urgency, importance, and personal values can help manage wants and desires effectively.
Are wants and desires mutually exclusive?
No, wants and desires can overlap, especially when a want gains deeper significance.
Can focusing too much on desires be harmful?
Excessive focus on unattainable desires can lead to dissatisfaction, but balanced pursuit can be rewarding.
Can the fulfillment of desires lead to personal growth?
Yes, pursuing and fulfilling desires can significantly contribute to personal growth and life satisfaction.
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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
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
