Browse all

lust after

B2 informal inseparable transitive
In simple words

To really, really want someone (in a romantic or physical way) or to want something very badly.

Meanings

1 B2 idiomatic informal

To feel strong sexual or romantic desire for another person.

"He had been secretly lusting after his neighbor for years before finally asking her out."

""Whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.""

— The Bible, Matthew 5:28 (King James Version)
Grammar: inseparable
2 B2 idiomatic informal

To have an intense, passionate craving for a material object, power, status, or experience.

"She had been lusting after that designer handbag for months before finally buying it."

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

Can refer to sexual desire for a person or intense desire for an object, experience, or achievement. When used about people, it nearly always implies physical or sexual attraction. When used about things (e.g., 'lusting after a sports car'), it is colorful and hyperbolic. Not typically rude, but context-dependent.

Commonly used with

power wealth sports car celebrity status recognition

Forms

Base
lust after
I/you/we/they
3rd person
lusts after
he/she/it
Past simple
lusted after
yesterday
Past participle
lusted after
have + pp
-ing form
lusting after
continuous

Understand "lust after" better

Try:

Real video examples

Video examples are being collected. Check back soon.

Synonyms

desire crave covet yearn for hunger for long for

Want to master this phrasal verb?

Practice "lust after" on Looplines