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.
If you’re craving a bit of crunch on your freshly-baked muffins, skip the homemade streusel and sprinkle some chia seeds.
From Salon • Mar. 31, 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
In the winter, my default craving is creamy.
From Salon • Mar. 25, 2026
Meanwhile, Bron was craving a space where he could watch two or three games at once.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 7, 2026
“Yes, sir, very cool. Let’s have lunch here and then head back. Are you craving anything?”
From "Healer of the Water Monster" by Brian Young
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.
