English · Word Candidate

desperate

/ˈdɛs.p(ə.)ɹɪt/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: desperater · desperatest · desperates

Sense 1

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

In dire need (of something); having a dire need or desire.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

Cần thiết hoặc mong muốn một điều gì đó cấp bách

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Adjective

Examples

I hadn't eaten in two days and was desperate for food.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

Being filled with, or in a state of, despair; hopeless.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

Đầy tuyệt vọng, không còn hy vọng

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Adjective

Examples

I was so desperate at one point, I even went to see a loan shark.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

Desperately.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

Đầy tuyệt vọng

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

AdverbRegister: US

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 4

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

A person in desperate circumstances or who is at the point of desperation, such as a down-and-outer, addict, etc.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

Người trong hoàn cảnh tuyệt vọng

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Noun

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “desperate” mean?

In dire need (of something); having a dire need or desire.

Is “desperate” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.