English

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Etymology

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desperate +‎ -ly

Pronunciation

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  • IPA(key): /ˈdɛsp(ə)ɹətli/
  • Audio (US):(file)
  • Hyphenation: des‧per‧ate‧ly

Adverb

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desperately (comparative more desperately, superlative most desperately)

  1. In a desperate manner; without regard to danger or safety; recklessly.
    She desperately grabbed at the nearby branches as she heard the branch she was standing on start to snap.
    I could desperately do with some coffee right now.
  2. extremely
    The race for silver medal was desperately close, they needed a photo finish to separate the runners.

Translations

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