Words / B1

DESP-uh-r-uh-tlee/ˈdespərətli/

Desperately means with urgent need, or extremely: desperately short of; desperately unhappy. Desperate is the adjective. Extremely is wider. Do not use it for a small problem. Rural services: desperately short of drivers.

Meaning

In a way that shows urgent need; also extremely (desperately unhappy).

Examples

• “Rural routes are desperately short of drivers.”
• “She needed the remark desperately after missing the university offer.”

Good to know

desperately short of / needed. Adjective: desperate. Wider: extremely. Collocation: desperately try / hope. Not a minor delay.

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