Pronunciation: [dˈɛspəɹət] (IPA) 
Desperate is spelled with the letters 'd-e-s-p-e-r-a-t-e', but its IPA phonetic transcription is /ˈdɛsp(ə)rət/. The 'd' has an aspirated 'h' sound, while the 'e' is pronounced as 'eh', and the 's' as 's'. The 'p' has an aspirated 'p' sound, while the 'e' is pronounced as 'uh'. The 'r' is pronounced with a flip of the tongue, and the 'a' is pronounced as 'ah'. Finally, the 't' has a soft 't' sound.
Desperate is an adjective derived from the Latin word desperatus, meaning "having no hope" or "despairing". This term refers to a state of extreme urgency or despair, typically arising from a strong need or desire that is perceived as unattainable or impossible to fulfill.
In general, when someone is described as desperate, it implies they are willing to take extreme measures or make great sacrifices in order to achieve their desired outcome. It is often associated with a sense of hopelessness and a feeling of being trapped or cornered, as if there are no alternatives or other options available.
A person who is desperate may behave impulsively or irrationally due to the intense emotions associated with their situation. They may act out of desperation in an attempt to seize opportunities or find solutions to their problems, even if their actions go against their usual behavior or moral compass.
Desperate can also describe a situation or circumstance that is critical, urgent, or precarious. For example, a desperate attempt, a desperate cry for help, or a desperate need for medical attention. It emphasizes a sense of vulnerability and the urgent need for intervention or resolution.
Although desperation can often lead to unwise decisions or impulsive actions, it can also serve as a powerful motivator that pushes individuals to persevere and overcome adversity. However, it is important to approach desperate situations with caution and seek rational and constructive solutions, as acting solely out of desperation may have unintended consequences or further exacerbate the problem at hand.
Fearless of danger; without hope; reekless; beyond hope of recovery; irretrievable; without care of safety; furious.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "desperate" comes from the Latin term "desperatus", which is the past participle of the verb "desperare". In Latin, "desperare" was derived from the combination of "de" (meaning "without" or "down") and "sperare" (meaning "to hope"). Therefore, "desperatus" initially conveyed the notion of being without hope or devoid of hope. Over time, the term evolved in the English language to encompass a broader sense of extreme urgency or strong desire, often associated with a feeling of hopelessness or despair.
