crave
C1Literary, formal, or emphatic. More intense than 'want' or 'desire'.
Definition
Meaning
to feel a powerful, often physical, desire for something.
to have an intense longing, yearning, or hunger for something, which can be physical (like food) or abstract (like attention, approval, or an experience).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Implies a deep, urgent, sometimes all-consuming need. Can suggest a lack or deficiency that one seeks to fill. Often associated with addiction, strong emotional states, or fundamental human needs.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning or usage.
Connotations
In both varieties, the word has strong connotations of intensity and need.
Frequency
Slightly more literary/formal in both registers; equally understood and used.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
transitive: crave + object (noun/noun phrase)transitive: crave + *for* + object (less common, slightly more archaic)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “crave a crumb of attention”
- “crave the limelight”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Could be used metaphorically: 'The market craves innovation.'
Academic
Used in psychology, literature, and social sciences to discuss human motivation and need: 'The subjects craved social validation.'
Everyday
Commonly used for food cravings and strong personal desires: 'I'm craving a pizza.' / 'He craves his family's approval.'
Technical
Used in medical/psychiatric contexts regarding addiction and dependency: 'Patients crave the substance during withdrawal.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- After a long run, I craved a pint of cool lager.
- The artist craved recognition for her innovative work.
- He craved nothing more than a bit of peace and quiet.
American English
- She craved a big, cheesy slice of New York pizza.
- The child craved his parent's undivided attention.
- Many people crave stability in uncertain times.
adverb
British English
- No standard adverb form. 'Cravingly' is extremely rare and non-standard.
American English
- No standard adverb form. 'Cravingly' is extremely rare and non-standard.
adjective
British English
- The adjective 'craven' (cowardly) exists but is etymologically unrelated and should not be confused.
American English
- The adjective 'craven' (cowardly) exists but is etymologically unrelated and should not be confused.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Pregnant women often crave strange foods.
- The dog craves its owner's affection.
- I don't just want chocolate; I'm really craving it right now.
- Teenagers sometimes crave independence from their parents.
- After months of city life, she began to crave the solitude of the countryside.
- The actor publicly claimed to shun fame, yet secretly he craved it.
- His psyche, wounded by childhood neglect, craved constant validation from authority figures.
- The novel explores the human condition, depicting characters who crave meaning in a seemingly indifferent universe.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a hungry RAVEn craving food – CRAVE.
Conceptual Metaphor
DESIRE IS HUNGER / DESIRE IS A PHYSICAL FORCE. We metaphorically understand intense desire as a physical need like hunger or thirst.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid directly translating to 'хотеть' ('to want'), which is weaker. 'Crave' is closer to 'страстно желать', 'жаждать', 'испытывать сильную потребность в'.
- Do not confuse with 'требовать' ('to demand'), which is about insistence, not internal desire.
Common Mistakes
- Using it for mild wants (Incorrect: 'I crave a cup of tea.' – Unless in a very specific, intense context).
- Incorrect preposition: 'crave *about* something' (Correct: 'crave something' or 'crave *for* something').
- Using it as a noun (Incorrect: 'I have a crave.' Correct: 'I have a craving.')
Practice
Quiz
In which of the following sentences is 'crave' used MOST appropriately?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While commonly used for food ('crave chocolate'), it is equally used for abstract things like attention, love, power, or change ('crave recognition', 'crave stability').
'Crave' implies a deeper, more urgent, and often more physical or instinctive need. 'Desire' is broader and can be more intellectual or calmer. You might desire a new car, but crave a glass of water after a marathon.
Yes, though it often implies a lack. It can be positive when describing a wholesome or aspirational longing (e.g., 'crave knowledge', 'crave justice'). Context determines the connotation.
It is grammatical but less common and can sound slightly old-fashioned or poetic ('She craved for his return'). In modern English, the transitive verb without 'for' is standard ('She craved his return').