crave
Americanverb (used with object)
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craves,
present (3rd person singular)
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craved,
past participle, past
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craving
present participle
-
to long for; want greatly; desire eagerly.
to crave sweets; to crave affection.
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to require; need.
a problem craving prompt attention.
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to ask earnestly for (something); beg for.
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to ask (a person) earnestly for something or to do something.
verb (used without object)
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craves,
present (3rd person singular)
-
craved,
past participle, past
-
craving
present participle
verb
-
to desire intensely; long (for)
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(tr) to need greatly or urgently
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(tr) to beg or plead for
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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cravesimple
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cravessimple
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have cravedperfect
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has cravedperfect
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am cravingprogressive
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are cravingprogressive
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is cravingprogressive
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have been cravingperfect progressive
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has been cravingperfect progressive
Past
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cravedsimple
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had cravedperfect
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was cravingprogressive
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were cravingprogressive
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had been cravingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of crave
First recorded before 1000; Middle English craven, Old English crafian; akin to Old Norse krefja “to demand, lay claim to”
Explanation
To crave something is to have a great desire for it, as one might crave love, fame, or French fries. Crave is typically used in the context of emotional or physical desires rather than practical needs. For example, most people crave a hug or a cup of hot cocoa every now and then, but it’s unusual to crave a new filing cabinet or tie rack — although if that’s how you feel, don’t let us interfere. Interestingly, crave comes from an Old English word meaning “demand.” Perhaps our ancestors were more assertive about getting what they wanted.
Vocabulary lists containing crave
Vocabulary from Beyoncé's "Lemonade"
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Instead of "Said": Words for Asking and Offering
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The Balcony Scene from "Romeo and Juliet"
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
"But I could feel their willingness to do well, and so for them to have to dig really deep, and to see everybody having that feeling that we all crave, that's why we're all here."
From BBC ● Nov. 4, 2026
Young people crave in-person connections and experiences, she said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 8, 2026
Companies are turning to consultants, AI bots and more frequent check-ins to give Gen Z workers the clear, real-time direction they crave.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 27, 2026
Those are the sort of authentic third-party endorsements politicians crave.
From BBC ● Aug. 20, 2026
Mom’s waiting outside, and gives me one of those long warm hugs that I crave so much.
From "Endangered" by Eliot Schrefer
Bernard Yaros, lead US economist at Oxford Economics, told AFP that while the market craves more from Warsh, he's unlikely to provide it.
From Barron's ● Aug. 27, 2026
Someone who places lots of bets using prediction-market apps craves instant gratification.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 18, 2026
In this collection of sketches, filled with guilt and shame, pride and love, Mr. Coppola finds the meaning he craves.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 9, 2026
“But there is also somewhere in her an ego that craves legitimacy and recognition and power, and those elements form quite a volatile cocktail this season.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 17, 2026
“No one who craves justice or silver for a sheep?”
From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin
Its “assemblage of worldviews” was something young people craved, even if they didn’t know it.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 18, 2026
Soy conquered America not because Americans craved the bean, but because it was remarkably versatile.
From Salon ● Sep. 13, 2026
Leonard never delivered a title that Ballmer craved; often, he barely played at all.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 3, 2026
The 22-year-old has fuelled the Tartan Army with hope that he can provide cutting edge at the top end of the pitch, something they have craved for some time.
From BBC ● Aug. 16, 2026
Mrs. Jackson, weighing less than 100 pounds, slid down the bank and met with an open mouth the ice she had craved all her life.
From "Sula" by Toni Morrison
The two unacquainted orphans sign up, conscious that they have inherited the larceny gene and, unconsciously perhaps, craving a family.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 15, 2026
Can repeatedly ordering imaginary food satisfy a real craving?
From BBC ● Sep. 23, 2026
Hearing it and listening can create more room to notice when we’re depleted, sad, overwhelmed, or craving pleasure too.
From Slate ● Sep. 23, 2026
Ingredients that can head in several directions once they meet heat, a pantry and whatever you happen to be craving that evening.
From Salon ● Aug. 25, 2026
Nathan knew that the spider was back there, probably craving a taste of his hand.
From "Healer of the Water Monster" by Brian Young
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
