hunger

American  

[huhng-ger] / ˈhʌŋ gər /

noun

1. a compelling need or desire for food.

2. the painful sensation or state of weakness caused by the need of food.

   to collapse from hunger.

3. a shortage of food; famine.

4. a strong or compelling desire or craving.

   hunger for power.

   Synonyms:

   itch, lust, greed, appetite

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verb (used without object)

1. to feel hunger; be hungry.

2. to have a strong desire.

verb (used with object)

1. Rare. to subject to hunger; starve.

idioms

1. from hunger, deplorably bad; dreadful: Also strictly from hunger.

   The styles in coats this winter are from hunger.

hunger British  

/ ˈhʌŋɡə /

noun

1. a feeling of pain, emptiness, or weakness induced by lack of food

2. an appetite, desire, need, or craving

   hunger for a woman

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verb

1. to have or cause to have a need or craving for food

2. (intr; usually foll by for or after) to have a great appetite or desire (for)

Other Word Forms

• half-hungered adjective
• hungeringly adverb
• prehunger noun

Etymology

Origin of hunger

First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English hungor; cognate with German Hunger

Example Sentences

There’s clearly a hunger right now for Miller’s work.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

She is allowed weekly visits to Duannis, who has staged several hunger strikes.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 29, 2026

Covid set back the fight against hunger worldwide.

From Barron's • Mar. 25, 2026

"I don't know who brought this hunger, it's too severe," says Regina Ewute Lokopuu, one of the women pounding the fruits.

From BBC • Mar. 19, 2026

Its crimson eyes almost glow with hunger and its pupils flatten in anger.

From "Kwame Crashes the Underworld" by Craig Kofi Farmer

Related Words

• craving
• desire
• famine
• greed
• longing
• lust
• starvation
• yearning