craving
Americannoun
noun
Related Words
See desire.
Other Word Forms
- cravingly adverb
- cravingness noun
- uncraving adjective
- uncravingly adverb
Etymology
Origin of craving
Middle English word dating back to 1250–1300; see origin at crave, -ing 1
Explanation
A craving is an intense desire for something really particular. If you have a craving for pickled herring, a tuna sandwich just won't do. Must. Have. Pickled. Herring. Craving is the noun that comes from the verb crave, which comes from the Old English word crafian, meaning "to demand, beg." When we talk about cravings, it's almost like the body and not the mind that is demanding something. Pregnant women famously have crazy cravings, sending their partners to the store in the middle of the night for pickles or toffee. Some people have cravings for power or fame: the desire is so strong they can't let it go.
Vocabulary lists containing craving
Eat Your Words
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Sugar Changed the World
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The Tale of Despereaux
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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.
It’s just enough to sate the palate until next week, when we find ourselves craving a treat once again.
From Salon • Apr. 19, 2026
But after indulging in a few spoonfuls, my palate begged to differ, craving more in between bites of curried rice and meat.
From Salon • Mar. 28, 2026
In flashbacks — Ambrine Trigo-Ouaked portrays the younger Alpha — we see glimpses of affection for his adoring niece, but Rahim illustrates that Amin’s debilitating craving will always be his principal love.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026
"Most people would have retired whereas I've still got the fire in my belly and I'm craving the challenge."
From BBC • Mar. 4, 2026
In a way, her strangeness, her naivet6, her craving for the other half of her equation was the consequence of an idle imagination.
From "Sula" by Toni Morrison
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
