adjective

desperate

Translation

desperate, hopeless, urgent

He was in a desperate situation.

She made a desperate attempt to escape.

I'm desperate for a cup of tea.

((desperate for sth.)) wanting or needing (sth.) very much I'm desperate for a cup of tea.

((desperate to do sth.)) wanting or needing to do (sth.) very much He was desperate to find a job.

((a desperate situation)) a very serious or bad situation They are in desperate need of help.

Synonyms: hopeless, frantic, urgent, longing

From Latin 'desperatus', past participle of 'desperare' (to despair, lose all hope). From 'de-' (away) + 'sperare' (to hope).

A person feeling 'despair' is in a 'desperate' situation. The words are closely linked.