appetence: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (C1+)Formal, academic, technical
Quick answer
What does “appetence” mean?
A natural desire or strong feeling of wanting something.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A natural desire or strong feeling of wanting something; an appetite or craving.
In biology/psychology: an innate tendency to react positively to certain stimuli; a natural affinity or attraction.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The term is equally formal and low-frequency in both varieties.
Connotations
Formal, somewhat archaic, or technical in both varieties.
Frequency
Extremely rare in everyday speech in both BrE and AmE. More likely found in philosophical, psychological, or literary texts.
Grammar
How to Use “appetence” in a Sentence
an appetence for somethingto have an appetence forto show appetenceVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “appetence” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- It's not commonly used as a verb.
American English
- It's not commonly used as a verb.
adverb
British English
- It's not commonly used as an adverb.
American English
- It's not commonly used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- The appetent child reached for the toy.
- She felt appetent for new experiences.
American English
- The appetent child reached for the toy.
- He felt appetent for new challenges.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually unused.
Academic
Used in psychology, philosophy, or biology to describe innate drives or tendencies (e.g., 'the infant's appetence for human faces').
Everyday
Extremely rare; would sound overly formal or pretentious.
Technical
Used in ethology/psychology (e.g., 'an appetence behaviour' to describe goal-directed action).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “appetence”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “appetence”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “appetence”
- Using it in casual conversation. Misspelling as 'appetance'. Using it as a direct synonym for 'hunger'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a low-frequency, formal word used primarily in academic or literary contexts.
'Appetite' most commonly refers to a desire for food, while 'appetence' is a broader, more formal term for a natural desire or inclination for anything (e.g., power, knowledge).
It would sound very formal and possibly pretentious. Simpler words like 'desire', 'craving', or 'longing' are almost always preferable in casual speech.
They are close. 'Appetence' suggests a deeper, more instinctive craving. 'Penchant' is a strong liking or habitual attraction to something (e.g., a penchant for jazz), which can be lighter and more acquired.
A natural desire or strong feeling of wanting something.
Appetence is usually formal, academic, technical in register.
Appetence: in British English it is pronounced /ˈæpɪt(ə)ns/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈæpɪtəns/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “There is no common idiom using 'appetence'.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of APPETITE. 'Appetence' is like a fancier, more intellectual cousin of 'appetite' – it’s a deep-seated hunger for something, not just food.
Conceptual Metaphor
DESIRE IS HUNGER / AN ATTRACTION IS A MAGNETIC FORCE.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'appetence' MOST appropriately used?