dirty desires

USAGE SUMMARY

"dirty desires" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express someone's passionate longings, particularly if they are sexual or related to something considered wrong or immoral. For example, "Despite his moral constitution, his dirty desires kept emerging".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

He seems to be made of sin, to contain nothing but dirty desires, tits and asses.

The New Yorker

The delightful site is best used for discovering the many women artists who translated their dirty desires onto the page centuries ago, yet for many unfortunate reasons remain lost in obscurity today.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

In the end, he chose to be called the name that had been put in the file: a man's dirty desire was all his accusers could grasp.

The New Yorker

With a little ingenuity, the object of your dirty desire would never know that you're watching her (or his, Raj) every move.

TechCrunch

He can take one of the klutzy, nubile (and possibly pregnant) Helena's sentences and by putting the stress sexily on a different word, uncover a whole world of down-and-dirty desire.

Independent

Her father had had all sorts of dirty, secret desires, and he was really unkind.

The New Yorker

Perhaps he should start with calling her the bad, dirty names she desires in bed.

Huffington Post

Of a feeling that one's desires are dirty and humiliating?

The Guardian - Opinion

In this work we address the problem by designing an optimization scheme for live migration, under which according to pre-copy speed, the VCPU working frequency may be reduced so that at a certain phase of the pre-copy the remaining dirty memory can reach a desired small amount.

Journal of Network and Computer Applications

Unfortunately I'm also a big fan of natural, organic stuff, which means I don't do crack or other "dirty" drugs, thereby making my desire harder to quell.

Vice

Intuitively you could say that sunlight generally improves our mood, and that a good mood increases our desire to do the dirty.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "dirty desires", consider the tone and context of your writing. This phrase carries a strong connotation and is best suited for situations where you want to evoke a sense of moral ambiguity or forbidden attraction.

Common error

Avoid using "dirty desires" in formal or academic writing unless it is directly relevant to your analysis. The phrase's strong connotations can be jarring in professional settings where neutrality is expected.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dirty desires" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "dirty" modifies the noun "desires", adding a connotation of something illicit, immoral, or taboo. Ludwig AI confirms that it is correct and usable in written English. Examples show its use in describing hidden or shameful longings.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "dirty desires" refers to strong, often illicit or immoral longings. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and usable in written English, though its frequency is uncommon. Primarily found in News & Media contexts, the phrase carries a strong connotation and should be used thoughtfully. Alternatives such as "illicit cravings" or "secret longings" can be considered for less explicit expressions. When employing "dirty desires", be mindful of the tone and context to effectively convey the intended meaning without misaligning with the overall formality or professionalism.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

illicit cravings

Replaces "dirty" with "illicit", focusing on the forbidden nature of the desires.

immoral yearnings

Emphasizes the ethical or moral transgression associated with the desires.

forbidden passions

Highlights the prohibited nature of the feelings, often implying romantic or sexual contexts.

guilty pleasures

Focuses on the enjoyment derived from desires that are considered wrong or inappropriate.

secret longings

Shifts the emphasis to the hidden nature of the desires, implying shame or fear of exposure.

repressed urges

Suggests desires that are actively suppressed or kept under control, often due to societal norms.

unspoken appetites

Highlights the unspoken or unacknowledged nature of the desires, often implying a sense of taboo.

shameful lusts

Emphasizes the feeling of shame or embarrassment associated with strong sexual desires.

clandestine cravings

Highlights the secrecy and covert nature of strong desires.

underground passions

Implies desires that are hidden from mainstream society, existing in a secretive subculture.

FAQs

How can I use "dirty desires" in a sentence?

You can use "dirty desires" to describe intense, often morally questionable longings. For example, "Despite his public persona, he harbored secret "dirty desires"."

What's a less explicit alternative to "dirty desires"?

If you want to express a similar idea with less intensity, consider using phrases like "illicit cravings" or "secret longings".

Is it appropriate to use "dirty desires" in professional writing?

Generally, it's best to avoid using "dirty desires" in professional writing unless the context specifically calls for it. A more neutral term might be more suitable.

What is the difference between "dirty desires" and "guilty pleasures"?

"Dirty desires" suggests a stronger sense of moral transgression or taboo, while "guilty pleasures" implies a milder form of indulgence that is not necessarily immoral.