hunger

[ huhng-ger ]
/ ˈhʌŋ gər /

noun

verb (used without object)

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

verb (used with object)

Rare. to subject to hunger; starve.

Idioms for hunger

    from hunger, Slang. deplorably bad; dreadful: The styles in coats this winter are from hunger. Also strictly from hunger.

Origin of hunger

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

OTHER WORDS FROM hunger

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

Example sentences from the Web for hunger

British Dictionary definitions for hunger

hunger
/ (ˈhʌŋɡə) /

noun

a feeling of pain, emptiness, or weakness induced by lack of food
an appetite, desire, need, or craving hunger for a woman

verb

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

Word Origin for hunger

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

Medical definitions for hunger

hunger
[ hŭnggər ]

n.

A strong desire or need for food.
The discomfort, weakness, or pain caused by a prolonged lack of food.
A strong desire or craving, as for affection.