thirst to learn

USAGE SUMMARY

'thirst to learn' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe someone's eagerness to gain knowledge. For example, "She had a great thirst to learn and was always asking questions about the world around her."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

They had this thirst to learn, to just be in the class".

The Guardian

He was an iconoclast and a free thinker, with an inquiring mind and a thirst to learn that meant he never stopped looking at the world around him and questioning what he saw.

The Guardian - Sport

They have a thirst to learn.

BBC

In an economy with a thirst to learn, she has turned herself into a business.

BBC

He (Monk) has got the thirst to learn and grow in experience.

BBC

Their thirst to learn is so big," Marcotte told HuffPost.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

On hearing of a friend's travels to the Continent, for instance, Charlotte wrote: "I hardly know what swelled to my throat … such a strong wish for wings – such an urgent thirst to see – to know – to learn – something internal seemed to expand boldly for a minute".

The Guardian - Books

This, at most, signals initial curiosity and perhaps even an unmet thirst for opportunities to learn online.

Huffington Post

Given hunger and thirst we have the initiative to learn things.

The Guardian

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Vice

However I've also seen the desire to learn, the thirst for knowledge and the belief in the USA as a beacon of opportunity.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "thirst to learn" to emphasize a strong, innate desire for knowledge acquisition, particularly when describing someone highly motivated and driven to learn.

Common error

Avoid using too many metaphorical expressions like "thirst to learn" in a single piece of writing, as it can make the text sound overwrought or unnatural. Balance figurative language with more direct statements.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "thirst to learn" functions as a descriptor of an individual's strong inclination and eagerness to acquire new knowledge or skills. It is used to highlight a deep-seated motivation for learning, as seen in Ludwig's examples from news articles and educational contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

6%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "thirst to learn" is a grammatically sound and neutrally-registered phrase employed to emphasize a person's strong desire for knowledge. As confirmed by Ludwig, its occurrence is more common in news and media, with supporting examples showing its use across diverse contexts from education to personal development. While alternatives like "eagerness to learn" and "desire to learn" exist, "thirst to learn" underscores a particularly intense motivation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

eagerness to learn

Replaces "thirst" with "eagerness", focusing on enthusiasm rather than intense desire.

desire to learn

Substitutes "thirst" with "desire", indicating a wish rather than a strong need.

appetite for knowledge

Uses "appetite" as a metaphor for a desire for knowledge, similar to "thirst".

passion for learning

Emphasizes emotional engagement instead of a basic need for knowledge.

zeal for knowledge

Implies a more fervent and active pursuit of learning.

keen interest in learning

Highlights interest over necessity, suggesting a less intense motivation.

curiosity about learning

Shifts the focus to inquisitiveness as the primary driver for acquiring knowledge.

motivation to learn

Focuses on the driving force behind learning, rather than the feeling itself.

longing to learn

Indicates a wistful or deep-seated yearning for knowledge.

inclination to learn

Highlights a natural tendency or predisposition towards learning.

FAQs

How can I use "thirst to learn" in a sentence?

You can use "thirst to learn" to describe someone's strong desire for knowledge. For example: "The students demonstrated a real "thirst to learn", eagerly participating in every activity."

What's a good alternative to "thirst to learn"?

Alternatives include "eagerness to learn", "desire to learn", or "passion for learning" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "thirst to learn" formal or informal?

"Thirst to learn" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It can be used in academic papers, news articles, or casual conversations to emphasize a strong desire for knowledge.

How does "thirst to learn" differ from "desire to learn"?

"Thirst to learn" implies a stronger, more urgent need for knowledge, similar to physical thirst, while "desire to learn" simply indicates a wish or preference for gaining knowledge. The former suggests a more compelling motivation.