crave

American  

[kreyv] / kreɪv /

verb (used with object)

craved, craving

1. to long for; want greatly; desire eagerly.

   to crave sweets; to crave affection.

2. to require; need.

   a problem craving prompt attention.

3. to ask earnestly for (something); beg for.

4. to ask (a person) earnestly for something or to do something.

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verb (used without object)

craved, craving

1. to beg or plead (usually followed byfor ).

crave British  

/ kreɪv /

verb

1. to desire intensely; long (for)

2. (tr) to need greatly or urgently

3. (tr) to beg or plead for

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Other Word Forms

• craver noun

Etymology

Origin of crave

First recorded before 1000; Middle English craven, Old English crafian; akin to Old Norse krefja “to demand, lay claim to”

Example Sentences

Between my dad, who treated cravings like a religion, and my grandmother, who treated food like therapy, I grew up thinking connection was something you could taste before you could name it.

From Los Angeles Times

Whatever your arts craving may be, this astoundingly rich new lineup of new local museums has you covered.

From Los Angeles Times

Further, Macklem said there was notable pent-up demand from consumers coming out of the pandemic, as households had accumulated sizable savings, and craved goods and services not available to them due to social-distancing restrictions.

From The Wall Street Journal

They also often have particular combinations of fat, sugar, sodium and carbs that can make people crave them.

From The Wall Street Journal

"There's been more and more of everything, not less and less -- and the cream rises to the top anyway, because the human element is what we crave."

From Barron's

Related Words

• covet
• cry out for
• fancy
• lust after