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; see also plus ( def. )) + fraß “eater” (noun derivative of fressen “to eat” (used of animals); cf. 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

In one scene, Glutton, on his way to church to confess his sins, is persuaded by Betty the Brewer to come by for some ale.

From Slate • Dec. 26, 2018

Personifications like Meed, Envy, Glutton, Wit, and Conscience roam the medieval English countryside alongside everyday people.

From Slate • Dec. 26, 2018

“Precariousness is the new status quo,” Ms. Nualkhair of Bangkok Glutton wrote via Facebook.

From New York Times • Apr. 9, 2018

That led to a contract for another album with a band named Glutton - also featuring Cain - as well as one made up of instrumentals by the professor’s own band, the Tommy Harrison Group.

From Washington Times • Dec. 10, 2016

Howiver, we took him up, an’ invited Glutton to a feast next day.

From The Young Trawler by Ballantyne, R. M. (Robert Michael)