DESIROUS

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does desirous mean? 

• DESIROUS (adjective)
  The adjective DESIROUS has 1 sense:

1. having or expressing desire for something

  Familiarity information: DESIROUS used as an adjective is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• DESIROUS (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Having or expressing desire for something

Synonyms:

desirous; wishful

Context example:

desirous of finding a quick solution to the problem

Similar:

appetent (marked by eager desire)

athirst; hungry; thirsty ((usually followed by 'for') extremely desirous)

avid; devouring; esurient; greedy ((often followed by 'for') ardently or excessively desirous)

covetous; envious; jealous (showing extreme cupidity; painfully desirous of another's advantages)

nostalgic (unhappy about being away and longing for familiar things or persons)

homesick (longing to return home)

Antonym:

undesirous (having or feeling no desire)

Derivation:

desire (something that is desired)

 Context examples 

He was clay in her hands immediately, as passionately desirous of being moulded by her as she was desirous of shaping him into the image of her ideal of man.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

I was about to explain that I was not desirous of introducing that mode of provision into the family, when Agnes inquired if my rooms were held for any long term?

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

She was humble, and wishing to be forgiven; and Mr. Yates, desirous of being really received into the family, was disposed to look up to him and be guided.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

It was a very great relief to Emma to find Harriet as desirous as herself to avoid a meeting.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

His Grace was extremely desirous to avoid all public scandal.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

How I went over I do not know, though I did know, and instantly, why those in the water were so desirous of getting back on the steamer.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

"No," returned Elinor, cautious of giving her real opinion of Edward's mother, and not very desirous of satisfying what seemed impertinent curiosity— "I know nothing of her."

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

At first we thought it was the want of company of his own kind that made him ask this question, but at last we began to see he was desirous to avoid them.

(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

I found estimable characters amongst them—characters desirous of information and disposed for improvement—with whom I passed many a pleasant evening hour in their own homes.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

Mrs. Gardiner looked at her niece, desirous of knowing how she, whom the invitation most concerned, felt disposed as to its acceptance, but Elizabeth had turned away her head.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)