glutton

¹

[ gluht-n ]

noun

1. a person who eats and drinks excessively or voraciously.

   Synonyms: chowhound, gastronome, gourmand

2. a person with a remarkably great desire or capacity for something:

   a glutton for work;

   a glutton for punishment.

glutton

²

[ gluht-n ]

noun

1. the wolverine, Gulo gulo, of Europe.

glutton

¹

/ ˈɡlʌtən /

noun

1. a person devoted to eating and drinking to excess; greedy person
2. ironic.
   a person who has or appears to have a voracious appetite for something

   a glutton for punishment

glutton

²

/ ˈɡlʌtən /

noun

1. another name for wolverine

Derived Forms

• ˈgluttonous, adjective
• ˈgluttonously, adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of glutton¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English glutun, from Old French glouton, from Latin gluttōn-, stem of gluttō, variant of glūtō, akin to glūtīre “to gulp down”

Origin of glutton²

First recorded in 1665–75; translation of German Vielfraß, from viel “much” (cognate with obsolete English fele; plus ( def ) ) + fraß “eater” (noun derivative of fressen “to eat” (used of animals); fress ( def ), fret ¹( def ) )

Word History and Origins

Origin of glutton¹

C13: from Old French glouton, from Latin glutto, from gluttīre to swallow

Origin of glutton²

C17: from glutton ¹, apparently translating German Vielfrass great eater

Example Sentences

Like a moth to a flame, there is just something about all that color and texture; I am a glutton for disappointment where fruitcake is concerned.

From Salon

The name, which means “swordfish in glutton’s style,” is a reference to the wealth of delicious ingredients that flavor a rustic tomato sauce.

From Washington Times

“I am a glutton for print. I love books in every way. I love them more than most human beings.”

From Washington Post

He was smart, organized and a glutton for long hours.

From New York Times

I imagine even the most perverse schadenfreude gluttons are having a hard time watching as the Broncos sit at 3-8.

From Seattle Times