hunger

[ huhng-ger ]

noun

1. a compelling need or desire for food.
2. the painful sensation or state of weakness caused by the need of food:

   to collapse from hunger.

3. a shortage of food; famine.
4. a strong or compelling desire or craving:

   hunger for power.

   Synonyms: itch, lust, greed, appetite

verb (used without object)

1. to feel hunger; be hungry.
2. to have a strong desire.

verb (used with object)

1. Rare. to subject to hunger; starve.

hunger

/ ˈhʌŋɡə /

noun

1. a feeling of pain, emptiness, or weakness induced by lack of food
2. an appetite, desire, need, or craving

   hunger for a woman

verb

1. to have or cause to have a need or craving for food
2. intr; usually foll by for or after to have a great appetite or desire (for)

Other Words From

• hun·ger·ing·ly adverb
• half-hun·gered adjective
• pre·hun·ger noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of hunger¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English hungor; cognate with German Hunger

Word History and Origins

Origin of hunger¹

Old English hungor; related to Old High German hungar, Old Norse hungr, Gothic hūhrus

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. from hunger, Slang. deplorably bad; dreadful: Also strictly from hunger.

   The styles in coats this winter are from hunger.

Example Sentences

When the Farm Bill extension expired on Sept. 30, leaders from hunger and food justice organizations nationwide raised alarms about the further delays in federal action that the lapse would likely exacerbate.

From Salon

The scheme had also been “valued highly by those working in schools”, the report found, with senior leaders saying it had “helped to address the problems of hidden hunger and food insecurity”.

From BBC

“Several others had broken limbs. The smuggler left us here and told us to run in the direction of the lights of Van city. Many of us were fading out of hunger. I fainted.”

From BBC

Ultimately, much of the material in the book, including Hughes’ cinematic escape from prison and multiple grueling hunger strikes, was cut so that the Price sisters’ journey of radicalization and regret would take center stage.

From Los Angeles Times

If such cuts came to pass, it’s unclear what would happen to the programs those agencies oversee, including hunger reduction and nutrition programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• craving
• desire
• famine
• greed
• longing
• lust
• starvation
• yearning