Lust — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈləst/

Meaning & Definition of Lust

Lust (noun)

  1. usually intense or unbridled sexual desire, lasciviousness
  2. an intense longing, craving
  3. enthusiasm, eagerness

Lust (verb)

  1. to have an intense desire or need, crave; specifically, to have a sexual urge

Lust (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. intense sexual desire

    "he was overcome with lust when he saw the images"

    similar: ardor, concupiscence, eros, eroticism, horniness, itch, lustfulness, passion
    related: erotomania, nymphomania, satyriasis, lasciviousness, lewdness, libidinousness, licentiousness, lickerishness, randiness, salaciousness, wantonness
    near: frigidity

  2. a strong wish for something

    "the belief that most politicians have a lust for power"

    similar: appetency, appetite, craving, desire, drive, hankering, hunger, itch, jones (slang), letch, longing, passion, pining, thirst, thirstiness, urge, yearning, yen
    related: compulsion, impulse, impulsion, will, zeal, liking, love, taste, weakness, eagerness, impatience, want, wish, necessity, need, requirement, obsession, acquisitiveness, avarice, avariciousness, avidity, covetousness, cupidity, greed, greediness, rapaciousness, rapacity, cacoëthes, mania
    near: abhorrence, abomination, allergy, averseness, aversion, disfavor, disgust, disinclination, dislike, disliking, distaste, hatred, loathing, nausea, repugnance, repulsion, revulsion, apathy, indifference, insouciance, nonchalance, unconcern

  3. urgent desire or interest

    "vacation tours for people with a lust for adventure"

    similar: appetite, ardor, avidity, avidness, desirousness, eagerness, enthusiasm, excitement, hunger, impatience, keenness, thirst
    related: alacrity, quickness, ambition, gusto, zest, appetence, appetency, fervency, passion, warmth, zeal, amenability, readiness, willingness
    opposite: apathy, indifference
    near: casualness, insouciance, nonchalance, unconcern, aloofness, detachment, impassivity, languidness, languor, halfheartedness, lukewarmness

  4. sexual appetite

    "a no-strings-attached relationship in which both parties were there merely for the satisfaction of their lust"

    similar: concupiscence, desire, eroticism, horniness, hots, itch, lech, letch, libidinousness, lustfulness, lustihood, passion, salaciousness
    related: libido, ardor, heat, rut, erotomania, hypersexuality, lecherousness, lechery, nymphomania, satyriasis, venery
    near: abstinence, celibacy, chastity, frigidity, frigidness

Lust (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in lie, sleep

    similar: copulate, couple, lie, make out, mate, sleep, cat (around), fool around, fornicate, play (around), tomcat (around), womanize, cheat, philander, screw around, step out

Related Entry: Lust (for or after) (verb)

Lust (for or after) is a different word from Lust. The synonyms below are for lust (for or after), not for lust.

  1. to have an earnest wish to own or enjoy

    "I'm lusting after that new SUV"

    similar: ache (for), covet, crave, desiderate, desire, die (for), hanker (for or after), hunger (for), itch (for), jones (for) (slang), long (for), pant (after), pine (for), repine (for), salivate (for), sigh (for), thirst (for), want, wish (for), yearn (for), yen (for), set one's heart on
    related: spoil (for), adore, delight (in), dig, enjoy, fancy, groove (on), like, love, relish, revel (in), favor, prefer, admire, appreciate, cherish, prize, treasure, value
    near: abhor, abominate, despise, detest, execrate, hate, loathe, decline, refuse, reject, spurn

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Lust

The most common words with a similar meaning to Lust:

Slang: jones
ardor, concupiscence, eros, eroticism, horniness, itch, lustfulness, passion, appetency, appetite, craving, desire, drive, hankering, hunger, letch, longing, pining, thirst, thirstiness, urge, yearning, yen, avidity, avidness, desirousness, eagerness, enthusiasm, excitement, impatience, keenness, hots, lech, libidinousness, lustihood, salaciousness, copulate, couple, lie, make out

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Lust

Words with the opposite meaning of Lust:

apathy, indifference

Related Words for Lust

erotomania, nymphomania, satyriasis, lasciviousness, lewdness, licentiousness, lickerishness, randiness, wantonness, compulsion, impulse, impulsion, will, zeal, liking, love, taste, weakness, want, wish, necessity, need, requirement, obsession, acquisitiveness, avarice, avariciousness, covetousness, cupidity, greed

Near Antonyms of Lust

frigidity, abhorrence, abomination, allergy, averseness, aversion, disfavor, disgust, disinclination, dislike, disliking, distaste, hatred, loathing, nausea, repugnance, repulsion, revulsion, insouciance, nonchalance, unconcern, casualness, aloofness, detachment, impassivity, languidness, languor, halfheartedness, lukewarmness, abstinence

Word Forms of Lust

Inflections: lusted, lusting, lusts

Origin & Etymology of Lust

Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German lust pleasure and perhaps to Latin lascivus wanton

First known use: before 12th century

Words & Phrases Containing Lust

lust for life

Frequently Asked Questions about Lust

What does "Lust" mean?

"Lust" means usually intense or unbridled sexual desire, lasciviousness. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: usually intense or unbridled sexual desire, lasciviousness. It has 5 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Lust"?

Other words for "Lust" include ardor, concupiscence, eros, eroticism, horniness, itch, lustfulness and passion. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Lust" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Lust"?

There are 106 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Lust". Common alternatives include ardor, concupiscence, eros, eroticism, horniness, itch, lustfulness, passion, appetency and appetite.

What is the opposite of "Lust"?

Antonyms of "Lust" include apathy and indifference. Near antonyms include frigidity, abhorrence, abomination and allergy.

How do you use "Lust" in a sentence?

Examples of "Lust" in a sentence: "he was overcome with lust when he saw the images"; "the belief that most politicians have a lust for power"; "vacation tours for people with a lust for adventure".

Is "Lust" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Lust" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Lust"?

"Lust" is pronounced /ˈləst/.

What is the origin of the word "Lust"?

"Lust" comes from Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German lust pleasure and perhaps to Latin lascivus wanton. First known use: before 12th century.