gluttony
Americannoun
noun
Etymology
Origin of gluttony
First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English glotonie, glutonie, from Old French glotonie; equivalent to glutton 1 + -y 3
Explanation
Called one of the seven deadly sins, gluttony is characterized by a limitless appetite for food and drink and overindulgence to the point where one is no longer eating just to live, but rather living to eat. Present in Old French and Middle English, the word glutonie derived from the Latin gluttire, "to swallow," which in turn came from gula, the word for "throat." In some cultures, gluttony is considered an indication of the country’s wealth, but in most cases it is simply gross and unacceptable. Nowadays, gluttony is seen as an emotional cry for help, as succinctly put by author Peter De Vries, who said, “Gluttony is an emotional escape, a sign something is eating us.”
Vocabulary lists containing gluttony
Eat Your Words
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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.
An abundance of these programs, unfortunately, are about gluttony, grease and ridiculous competitions.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 23, 2026
It’s like watching hands frantically reach out for candy after a piñata has been broken into — gluttony at its finest.
From Salon ● May 11, 2025
There’s a gluttony built into everything where if you’re not careful, you’re never satisfied.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 7, 2025
Each cone represents one of the seven deadly sins: lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, wrath, envy and pride.
From Seattle Times ● Dec. 22, 2023
Cilia shouldn’t let her get away with such selfishness and gluttony.
From "Johnny Tremain" by Esther Hoskins Forbes
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.
