glutton

¹ American  

[gluht-n] / ˈglʌt n /

noun

1. a person who eats and drinks excessively or voraciously.

   Synonyms:

   chowhound, gastronome, gourmand

2. a person with a remarkably great desire or capacity for something.

   a glutton for work;

   a glutton for punishment.

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glutton ² American  

[gluht-n] / ˈglʌt n /

noun

1. the wolverine, Gulo gulo, of Europe.

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glutton ¹ British  

/ ˈɡlʌtən /

noun

1. a person devoted to eating and drinking to excess; greedy person

2. ironic a person who has or appears to have a voracious appetite for something

   a glutton for punishment

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glutton ² British  

/ ˈɡlʌtən /

noun

1. another name for wolverine

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Other Word Forms

• gluttonous adjective
• gluttonously adverb

Etymology

Origin of glutton¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English glutun, from Old French glouton, from Latin gluttōn-, stem of gluttō, variant of glūtō, akin to glūtīre “to gulp down”

Origin of glutton²

First recorded in 1665–75; translation of German Vielfraß, from viel “much” (cognate with obsolete English fele; plus ( def. ) ) + fraß “eater” (noun derivative of fressen “to eat” (used of animals); fress ( def. ), fret ¹ ( def. ) )

Explanation

Do you like to eat and drink — I mean, really like to eat and drink? Then you might be a glutton. We all have our favorite foods and drinks, but some people are a little more into it than others — these people are gluttons. Someone who's a glutton because they just eat too much is different from a gourmet or gourmand, who enjoys only the best food. This word also is used in phrases like "glutton for punishment," which you might say about a student who asks for extra homework.

Example Sentences

He was a large man, over 6 feet tall, and, we learn from Mr. Margolick, a glutton.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 14, 2025

She’s boisterous but not a glutton for attention.

From Los Angeles Times • May 8, 2024

Like a moth to a flame, there is just something about all that color and texture; I am a glutton for disappointment where fruitcake is concerned.

From Salon • Dec. 21, 2023

“I am a glutton for print. I love books in every way. I love them more than most human beings.”

From Washington Post • Dec. 19, 2022

People thought he was a glutton for punishment, that he liked getting dumped.

From "An Abundance of Katherines" by John Green