What Does “Lust after sth” Mean?
“Lust after sth” means to strongly desire or crave something, often with great passion or eagerness.
Introduction
The phrase “lust after sth” is used to describe a powerful desire or intense longing for something. When someone lusts after something, they want it very much, sometimes in a way that shows strong emotion or even obsession. This phrase is common in both spoken and written English and can refer to physical objects, qualities, or experiences. Understanding the lust after sth meaning helps learners express strong wants clearly and effectively. It is often used in formal and informal contexts, making it a versatile phrase to add to your English vocabulary.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: lust after something
- Type: transitive
- Level: B2-C1
- Short meaning: to strongly desire or crave something
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Lust after sth” is an inseparable phrasal verb, which means you cannot place the object between “lust” and “after.” The object always comes after “after.”
Correct pattern: lust after + noun
Incorrect pattern: lust + noun + after
How to Use “Lust after sth”?
Use “lust after sth” when you want to express a strong, intense desire for something. It can be used with physical things, like money or possessions, or with abstract ideas, such as power or success. This phrase is often used in both positive and negative contexts, depending on the speaker’s tone.
Examples
People sometimes lust after things that may not bring real happiness.
- Many young people lust after fame and fortune.
- He lusted after the latest smartphone for months before buying it.
- She lusted after power more than anything else in her career.
- They lust after luxury cars and expensive watches.
- It’s easy to lust after material things, but true satisfaction comes from within.
These examples show “lust after sth in a sentence” used naturally to express strong desire.
Common Mistakes
Sometimes learners mix up the word order or use the phrase incorrectly.
- Incorrect: I lust the new phone after.
- Correct: I lust after the new phone.
- Incorrect: She lusts it after.
- Correct: She lusts after it.
Remember, “lust after” must always be followed directly by the object.
Differences / Synonyms
“Lust after sth” is similar to phrases like “long for” or “crave,” but it often suggests a stronger, more passionate desire.
- Long for: A gentle or emotional desire (e.g., She longed for peace).
- Crave: A strong desire, often related to food or comfort (e.g., He craves chocolate).
- Lust after: A powerful, sometimes intense or obsessive desire (e.g., They lust after success).
While “lust after” can carry a slightly negative or intense tone, “long for” is softer and more emotional.
Common Collocations
People often use “lust after” with these common objects:
- Power: Desire for control or influence.
- Money: Desire for wealth.
- Fame: Desire to be famous or well-known.
- Success: Desire to achieve goals.
- Luxury items: Desire for expensive possessions.
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of lust after sth:
Real-life Dialogue
Here’s a short conversation using “lust after sth”:
Anna: I can’t stop thinking about that new car. I really lust after it.
Ben: Yeah, it looks amazing, but do you really need it?
Anna: Maybe not, but sometimes we all lust after things we don’t need.
Practice
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of “lust after”:
- She _____________ fame ever since she was a child.
- Many people _____________ luxury goods, hoping they will bring happiness.
- He doesn’t just want money; he _____________ power.
- Do you ever _____________ something so much that you can’t stop thinking about it?
FAQs
- What does “lust after sth” mean? It means to strongly desire or crave something.
- Is “lust after” positive or negative? It can be both, but often it suggests an intense or obsessive desire.
- Can I use “lust after” for people? It is usually used for things, qualities, or experiences, not people.
- Is “lust after” separable? No, the object always comes after “after.”
- What are synonyms for “lust after”? Crave, long for, desire intensely.
