First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
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
1
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
2
: 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
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Origin of HUNGER
Middle English, from Old English hungor; akin to Old High German hungar hunger, Lithuanian kanka torture
Related to HUNGER
- Antonyms
- inappetence
2hunger
verb
: to have or feel a strong desire
hun·geredhun·ger·ing \-g(ə-)riŋ\
Full Definition of HUNGER
intransitive verb
1
: to feel or suffer hunger
2
: 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
1
: a desire or a need for food
2
: a strong desire <a hunger for knowledge>
2hunger
verb
hun·geredhun·ger·ing
Definition of HUNGER for Kids
1
: to feel a desire or need for food
2
: to have a strong desire <He hungered to return home.>
Medical Dictionary
hunger
noun hun·ger \ˈhəŋ-gər\
Medical Definition of HUNGER
1
: a craving, desire, or urgent need for food
2
: 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
3
: a weakened disordered condition brought about by prolonged lack of food <die of hunger>
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