Hunger

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -ʌŋɡə(r)

From Middle English hunger, from Old English hungor ("hunger, desire; famine"), from Proto-Germanic *hungruz, *hunhruz ("hunger"), from Proto-Indo-European *kenk- ("to burn, smart, desire, hunger, thirst"). Compare Dutch honger, German and Low German Hunger, Swedish hunger.

Full definition of hunger

Noun

1. A need or compelling desire for food.
2. (by extension) Any strong desire.I have a hunger to win.
• SpenserO sacred hunger of ambitious minds!

Usage notes

The phrase be hungry is more common than have hunger to express a need for food.

Antonyms

• satiety
• satiation

Derived terms

• hunger is the best spice

From Old English hyngran.

Verb

1. To be in need of food.
2. (figuratively) To have a desire (for); to long; to yearn.I hungered for your love.
• Bible, Matthew v. 6Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness.
3. (archaic) To make hungry; to famish.

Anagrams

• rehung