appetite
B1Neutral to formal
Definition
Meaning
A natural physical desire, especially for food or drink.
A strong desire or liking for something (non-food), such as information, entertainment, or activity.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often implies a healthy, robust desire. Can be qualified as 'good', 'poor', 'healthy', 'voracious'. The extended meaning is a metaphorical extension of the core physical sense.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal difference in core usage. 'Appetite' is used identically in both varieties.
Connotations
Identical connotations. No significant variation.
Frequency
Equally frequent in both UK and US English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
appetite for [noun]appetite to [infinitive]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “whet someone's appetite”
- “spoilt for choice/appetite”
- “work up an appetite”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to market demand or investor interest, e.g., 'The company has an appetite for acquisition.'
Academic
Used in psychology, medicine, and social sciences to discuss physiological drives or metaphorical desires.
Everyday
Primarily used for the desire to eat, or casually for interests, e.g., 'He has an appetite for adventure.'
Technical
In medicine, refers to the physiological desire for food, often assessed as a health indicator.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The brisk walk really appetised me for my supper.
- Nothing appetises me more than the smell of fresh bread.
American English
- The hike really appetized me for dinner.
- The preview appetized the audience for the full film.
adverb
British English
- The meal was appetisingly presented.
- He appetisingly described the potential profits.
American English
- The dish was appetizingly arranged.
- She appetizingly outlined the benefits of the deal.
adjective
British English
- The aromas from the kitchen were highly appetising.
- He made an appetising offer for the business.
American English
- The kitchen smells were highly appetizing.
- The publisher found the book proposal very appetizing.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I have a big appetite today.
- She has no appetite because she is ill.
- The cake gave me an appetite.
- Walking in the fresh air gives you a healthy appetite.
- He lost his appetite after hearing the bad news.
- The children have a huge appetite for stories.
- The lecture whetted my appetite to learn more about astronomy.
- Investors showed a strong appetite for the new green energy bonds.
- A sudden loss of appetite can be a sign of stress.
- The documentary critiques the media's insatiable appetite for sensationalism.
- Geopolitical instability has dampened the market's appetite for risk.
- Her voracious intellectual appetite led her to master several disciplines.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'APPETITE' as 'APPET' (like appetizer, the starter food) + 'ITE' (suffix meaning 'related to'). It's related to the food you start a meal with, which increases your desire for more.
Conceptual Metaphor
DESIRE IS HUNGER / INTEREST IS HUNGER (e.g., 'an appetite for knowledge', 'an appetite for risk').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid using 'аппетит' for abstract 'desire' in very formal contexts; it can sound overly metaphorical. Russian 'аппетит' is used more freely in finance (аппетит к риску). English 'appetite' in 'appetite for destruction' is a strong, fixed metaphor.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'appetite' as a countable noun incorrectly (e.g., 'I have appetites' is rare; usually 'I have an appetite' or 'I have a big appetite'). Confusing 'appetite' (desire) with 'appetizer' (starter food).
Practice
Quiz
In a financial context, 'risk appetite' refers to:
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While the primary meaning relates to food, it is commonly used metaphorically for a strong desire or interest in anything (e.g., appetite for power, knowledge, risk).
'Hunger' is a more urgent, physical need for food, often causing discomfort. 'Appetite' is the desire or inclination to eat, which can be psychological and exist even when not hungry.
The verb form ('appetize'/'appetise') is rare and formal. The adjective ('appetizing'/'appetising') and adverb forms are much more common.
It means to increase your desire or interest in something, usually by giving you a small, appealing sample of it (like an appetizer before a meal).