hunger
C1 (High frequency noun, moderate frequency verb)Neutral to formal. Common in all registers; verb usage ('to hunger for/after') is more literary.
Definition
Meaning
A strong feeling of discomfort or weakness caused by a prolonged lack of food.
A strong desire, craving, or need for something (often non-physical) such as success, knowledge, attention, or change.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
As a noun, it denotes both the physical sensation and the broader societal condition. The verb form is almost always used for non-physical cravings.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minor spelling in derivatives: 'hungrily' is standard in both, no major usage differences. The term 'hunger striker' is common in political contexts in both.
Connotations
Identical. The word carries the same weight regarding physical need and metaphorical desire.
Frequency
Noun frequency is identical. The verb form 'to hunger for' is slightly more common in American literary contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
hunger for [noun phrase] (e.g., hunger for power)hunger after [noun phrase] (more literary)a hunger to [infinitive verb phrase] (e.g., a hunger to succeed)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “hunger is the best sauce”
- “from hunger (slang, AmE: of poor quality)”
- “a hunger strike”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
'The company has a hunger for innovation and market disruption.'
Academic
'The study examines the psychological impacts of childhood hunger on cognitive development.'
Everyday
'I've got a real hunger – let's get some lunch.'
Technical
'The hormone ghrelin is a primary mediator of the hunger response.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- She hungered for a more meaningful career.
- The audience hungered after the truth revealed in the documentary.
American English
- He hungered for recognition after years of hard work.
- The team hungered for a victory after their losing streak.
adverb
British English
- She looked hungrily at the cake.
- He read the news hungrily, searching for updates.
American English
- The dog watched hungrily as we ate.
- Investors watched the quarterly report hungrily.
adjective
British English
- The hunger-stricken region received aid.
- He gave a hunger-weakened sigh.
American English
- The hunger-stricken region received aid.
- She had a hunger-crazed look in her eyes.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The children are hungry.
- I eat an apple when I feel hunger.
- There is a lot of hunger in poor countries.
- After the long walk, we felt a strong hunger.
- The charity's mission is to end global hunger by 2030.
- His hunger for adventure led him to travel the world.
- The politician's speech appealed to the electorate's hunger for change.
- Prolonged hunger can lead to stunted growth and developmental issues.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a hungry tiger's HUNGER. The 'HUN' sounds like 'hunt', which is what hunger makes you want to do for food.
Conceptual Metaphor
DESIRE IS HUNGER (e.g., 'a hunger for success', 'he hungered for revenge').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid directly translating 'голод' into 'hunger' for temporary mild hunger; 'I'm a bit hungry' is better. 'Голодовка' is specifically a 'hunger strike'. 'Hunger' as a societal problem is 'голод', but for personal feeling, 'to be hungry' is more natural.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'hunger' as a countable noun incorrectly (e.g., 'I have a hunger' sounds odd for physical need; use 'I'm hungry'). Confusing 'hunger' (noun) with 'hungry' (adjective) in structures like 'I feel hunger' (less common) vs. 'I feel hungry'.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following uses 'hunger' as a verb is MOST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
For the immediate physical feeling, it's more natural to say 'I'm hungry'. 'I have a hunger' is grammatical but sounds formal or metaphorical (e.g., 'I have a hunger for knowledge').
'Hunger' is the feeling or condition of needing food. 'Starvation' is the severe, life-threatening condition resulting from extreme, prolonged lack of food. Starvation is the extreme end of the hunger spectrum.
Rarely. While technically possible ('the prisoners hungered'), it is archaic or poetic. The verb is almost exclusively used for metaphorical desires ('hunger for freedom').
They are synonymous, both meaning 'to desire strongly'. 'Hunger for' is more common in modern usage. 'Hunger after' is more literary and has a slight nuance of pursuing something elusive.