desperately

B2 Topic:Describing Qualities

US /ˈdɛsp(ə)ɹətli/ See IPA manual

Freq #6328

Meanings

1

adv
In a way that shows you want or need something very much.

They were desperately trying to save the drowning man.
2

adv
Extremely; very much.

The race was desperately close until the very end.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 adv · in a way that shows you... urgently

Appears in

Phrases (1)

See all

desperately engaged
fiercely involved in fighting while facing severe danger or pressure

Adverb + adjective

Etymology

From desperate + -ly.

Topics

Describing Qualities

External links

markdown