crave

[ kreyv ]

verb (used with object)

, craved, crav·ing.

1. to long for; want greatly; desire eagerly:

   to crave sweets; to crave affection.

2. to require; need:

   a problem craving prompt attention.

3. to ask earnestly for (something); beg for.
4. to ask (a person) earnestly for something or to do something.

verb (used without object)

, craved, crav·ing.

1. to beg or plead (usually followed by for ).

crave

/ kreɪv /

verb

1. whenintr, foll by for or after to desire intensely; long (for)
2. tr to need greatly or urgently
3. tr to beg or plead for

Derived Forms

• ˈcraver, noun

Other Words From

• craver noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of crave¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English craven, Old English crafian; akin to Old Norse krefja “to demand, lay claim to”

Word History and Origins

Origin of crave¹

Old English crafian; related to Old Norse krefja to demand, krǣfr strong; see craft

Example Sentences

Clue’s cycle analysis starts to get at the macro-level insights I crave and provides the data points to start piecing together the puzzle.

From Outside Online

These areas have already been linked in other experiments to the sensation of “wanting” or “craving” something.

From MIT Technology Review

We’ve been craving the experience of standing outside, enjoying the sweet scent of charcoal smoke mixed with pine trees, holding a beer in one hand and tongs in the other, and that slightly charred flavor you can only get from cooking over fire.

From Outside Online

Maybe it’s a sign of my advancing age, or maybe I just crave a bit of structure in a hectic world full of uncertainty.

From Outside Online

Politicians and parties still crave these narratives, though, especially when they lose.

From FiveThirtyEight

White Southerners crave an innocent past, a personal distance from the sins of their ancestors.

From The Daily Beast

Its only failure was that it lacked the right kind of losing-it drama Oscar night watchers crave.

From The Daily Beast

The mad tend to crave it, many of the sane crave it, but the wise worry about its long-term side effects.

From The Daily Beast

The irony in it all is that our bodies need, if not crave, Vitamin D—and more than a chewable tablet.

From The Daily Beast

But no matter that difference, we crave to own and co-opt, rather than necessarily understand, it.

From The Daily Beast

Yet to crave forgiveness would be to confess—to tell all I know—the whole awful truth!

From Project Gutenberg

Some offend because they crave popularity or want to do what their friends are doing.

From Project Gutenberg

As I have great sorrows, I will confide in you; dreadful disappointment, for which I will crave a smile.

From Project Gutenberg

She added with the same low, soothing melody in her voice that his ear had learned to crave, And I, too—I love you.

From Project Gutenberg

We are remote, and can speake but seldom, and therefore crave leave to speake the more at once.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• covet
• cry out for
• fancy
• lust after