Word: thirst

Associations

Thirst is the feeling of wanting or needing to drink something. It often happens when the body loses water.

• When you exercise, you might feel thirst. It tells you that you need to drink water to stay hydrated.
• After eating salty food, you might have thirst. Your body needs more water to balance the salt.
• On a hot day, walking outside can make you feel strong thirst. Your body tries to cool down and needs water.

The synonym "hunger" is sometimes confused with thirst. Hunger is the need for food, while thirst refers to the need for drink.

Substitution

In place of "thirst," you could use:

• "desire for drink": More general; indicates a wish for any beverage.
• "dry mouth": Describes the physical feeling that often comes with thirst, but is not a full state of needing to drink.
• "dehydration": Indicates a state caused by lack of water rather than the sensation of wanting to drink.

Deconstruction

The word "thirst" comes from the Old English word "þurst," which means to desire or long for a drink.

• It has no prefix or suffix; it is a simple form.
• The root "thirst" has been used for many centuries, showing the long-standing human need for hydration.

Inquiry

• Can you think of a time when you felt very thirsty? What caused that thirst?
• How do you usually satisfy your thirst? Do you have a favorite drink?
• Have you ever ignored your thirst? What happened when you did that?