ravening: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2 (Very Low Frequency / Literary/Archaic)Literary, formal, archaic; often found in poetic or biblical contexts.
Quick answer
What does “ravening” mean?
Extremely hungry.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Extremely hungry; voracious; aggressively greedy for food or other resources.
Characterized by violent, predatory, or insatiable greed; seeking to seize or consume something with ruthless intensity.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant spelling or grammatical differences. Usage is equally rare and literary in both varieties.
Connotations
Connotations are identical: predatory, voracious, dangerous hunger.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both dialects, primarily encountered in classic literature, religious texts, or poetic/historical writing.
Grammar
How to Use “ravening” in a Sentence
[Adj] + [Noun] (e.g., ravening wolves)the [Adj] [Noun] (e.g., the ravening horde)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “ravening” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [Obsolescent: 'to raven' exists; 'ravening' as present participle is archaic.]
American English
- [Obsolescent: Same as British.]
adverb
British English
- [Extremely rare/archaic. Not standard.]
American English
- [Extremely rare/archaic. Not standard.]
adjective
British English
- The old tales spoke of a ravening creature in the forest.
- He faced the ravening pack of journalists.
American English
- The pioneers feared ravening wolves at night.
- The scandal unleashed a ravening media frenzy.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used. Potentially metaphorical: 'the ravening competition' (highly stylistic).
Academic
Rare, used in literary criticism or historical analysis (e.g., 'the ravening id in Gothic literature').
Everyday
Extremely rare; would sound archaic or intentionally dramatic.
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “ravening”
- Using it as a common synonym for 'hungry'.
- Misspelling as 'raveening' or 'ravenning'.
- Confusing it with the verb 'to rave'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, etymologically. It comes from the Old English 'hræfn' (raven), influenced by the bird's scavenging, predatory nature.
'Ravenous' is a common adjective meaning extremely hungry. 'Ravening' is more literary/archaic and emphasizes the active, often violent or predatory, process of seizing and devouring.
Yes, but sparingly and for deliberate effect. It creates a dramatic, archaic, or poetic tone. In most modern contexts, 'voracious', 'rapacious', or 'predatory' are more natural choices.
Not in modern English. The related verb 'to raven' (to hunt voraciously) is obsolete. Today, 'ravening' functions almost exclusively as a literary adjective.
Extremely hungry.
Ravening is usually literary, formal, archaic; often found in poetic or biblical contexts. in register.
Ravening: in British English it is pronounced /ˈrævənɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈrævənɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[None commonly associated. The word itself is used almost idiomatically.]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a RAVEN (the bird, often associated with death/consumption) + ING (ongoing action) = the ongoing, consuming hunger of a raven.
Conceptual Metaphor
HUNGER IS A WILD BEAST / GREED IS A PREDATOR.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'ravening' MOST appropriately used?