devour
B2Formal, Literary, Figurative
Definition
Meaning
To eat something quickly and completely in a very hungry or eager manner.
To consume or destroy something completely and rapidly; to read, watch, or listen to something with intense, often obsessive, interest and attention.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a transitive verb. The core meaning is literal (eating), but its extended figurative uses are very common. It carries strong connotations of speed, intensity, and thoroughness. The subject is typically an animate agent, but can be extended to forces (fire, war) in figurative language.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or grammatical differences.
Connotations
Slightly more common in literary or dramatic contexts in both varieties. The figurative use is equally productive.
Frequency
Comparable frequency in both dialects.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Someone/Animal] devours [something].[Something abstract, e.g., fire, desire] devours [something].[Someone] devours [something] with their eyes/gaze.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “'Devour with one's eyes' (to look at someone/something with intense longing or desire).”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare; metaphorical use possible, e.g., 'The new start-up is poised to devour market share.'
Academic
Figurative use in humanities (e.g., 'a theory that devours all counter-evidence').
Everyday
Common for describing eating enthusiastically (kids devoured the cake) or reading/watching eagerly.
Technical
Not used.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The lions devoured the carcass before we could get a photo.
- She devoured the entire crime series over the bank holiday weekend.
American English
- The kids devoured the pizza in under five minutes.
- He devoured the research papers to prepare for the conference.
adverb
British English
- N/A (No standard adverb form).
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A (No standard adjective form. 'Devouring' is a present participle used adjectivally: 'a devouring passion').
American English
- N/A
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The hungry dog devoured his food.
- After the marathon, I devoured a huge plate of pasta.
- My brother devours science fiction books.
- The scandal was devoured by the press, with new details emerging daily.
- The invasive plant species began to devour the native flora.
- A sense of existential dread devoured him from within.
- Her critical gaze seemed to devour the artwork, searching for its flaws.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
DEVOUR sounds like 'DE-VOUR' — think of a DINOSAUR that eats everything, leaving NOTHING in its VORacious path. The 'VOUR' part relates to 'voracious' (insatiable appetite).
Conceptual Metaphor
INTELLECTUAL/CULTURAL CONSUMPTION IS EATING (She devoured the novel). DESTRUCTION IS EATING (The fire devoured the building). DESIRE IS HUNGER (He devoured her with his eyes).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'диво' (miracle).
- The Russian verb 'пожирать' is a direct equivalent for both literal and figurative uses.
- Avoid the false friend 'devote' (посвящать).
Common Mistakes
- Using it intransitively: *'He devoured.' (Incorrect; needs an object).
- Using it for slow consumption: *'He devoured the soup slowly.' (Contradicts core meaning of speed/enthusiasm).
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'devour' used CORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, its figurative use for consuming information (books, news) or for destruction (fire, war) is very common and often more frequent than the literal meaning.
It is context-dependent. For eating, it's often neutral or positive (enthusiastic). For destruction or obsessive consumption, it is negative. It always implies intensity.
'Devour' is more specific and vivid. It implies speed, eagerness, and completeness. 'Eat' is the generic, neutral term.
Yes, especially in figurative contexts. E.g., 'The report was devoured by critics.' or 'The town was devoured by the spreading wildfire.'