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¹hunger

noun hun·ger \ˈhəŋ-gər\

: a very great need for food : a severe lack of food

: an uncomfortable feeling in your stomach that is caused by the need for food

: a strong desire : a strong desire for something or to do something

Full Definition of HUNGER

a : a craving or urgent need for food or a specific nutrient

b : an uneasy sensation occasioned by the lack of food

c : a weakened condition brought about by prolonged lack of food

: a strong desire : craving <a hunger for success>

— from hunger

: very bad or inept <the jokes were from hunger — Mordecai Richler>

See hunger defined for English-language learners

See hunger defined for kids

Origin of HUNGER

Middle English, from Old English hungor; akin to Old High German hungar hunger, Lithuanian kanka torture

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to HUNGER

Synonyms: appetite, belly, emptiness, famishment, munchies, stomach

Antonyms: inappetence

Rhymes with HUNGER

monger, younger

²hunger

verb

: to have or feel a strong desire

hun·geredhun·ger·ing \-g(ə-)riŋ\

Full Definition of HUNGER

intransitive verb

: to feel or suffer hunger

: to have an eager desire

transitive verb

: to make hungry

See hunger defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of HUNGER

before 12th century

Synonym Discussion of HUNGER

long, yearn, hanker, pine, hunger, thirst mean to have a strong desire for something. long implies a wishing with one's whole heart and often a striving to attain <longed for some rest>. yearn suggests an eager, restless, or painful longing <yearned for a stage career>. hanker suggests the uneasy promptings of unsatisfied appetite or desire <always hankering for money>. pine implies a languishing or a fruitless longing for what is impossible <pined for a lost love>. hunger and thirst imply an insistent or impatient craving or a compelling need <hungered for a business of his own> <thirsted for power>.

HUNGER Defined for Kids

¹hunger

noun hun·ger \ˈhəŋ-gər\

Definition of HUNGER for Kids

: a desire or a need for food

: a strong desire <a hunger for knowledge>

²hunger

verb

hun·geredhun·ger·ing

Definition of HUNGER for Kids

: to feel a desire or need for food

: to have a strong desire <He hungered to return home.>

Medical Dictionary

hunger

noun hun·ger \ˈhəŋ-gər\

Medical Definition of HUNGER

: a craving, desire, or urgent need for food

: an uneasy sensation occasioned normally by the lack of food and resulting directly from stimulation of the sensory nerves of the stomach by the contraction and churning movement of the empty stomach

: a weakened disordered condition brought about by prolonged lack of food <die of hunger>