hungry

adjective

hun·​gry ˈhəŋ-grē 

hungrier; hungriest

1

a

: feeling an uneasy or painful sensation from lack of food : feeling hunger

b

: characterized by or characteristic of hunger or appetite

a wolf with hungry eyes

2

a

: eager, avid

hungry for affection

b

: strongly motivated (as by ambition)

hungry investors

a power-hungry politician

3

: not rich or fertile : barren

a hungry soil

hungrily

ˈhəŋ-grə-lē 

adverb

hungriness

ˈhəŋ-grē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms

• empty
• famished
• peckish [chiefly British]
• starved
• starving

Examples of hungry in a Sentence

There are millions of hungry people throughout the world.

That girl is always hungry.

The prisoners' families were hungry for more information.

They were hungry to learn more.

Recent Examples on the Web

Don’t be shy; pull off the worms and put them where hungry birds and lizards can find them. —Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 June 2024

My songs had a simplicity and a directness about them that the band was hungry to play… and played really well. —Bill Kopp, SPIN, 31 May 2024

Pushing him and Curtis Robinson (strong-side on Tuesday’s first unit) will be a cast of younger linebackers hungry for action: Dee Winters, Jalen Graham and rookie Tatum Bethune. CORNERBACK Deommodore Lenoir flexed from right cornerback to the inside as a nickel back Tuesday. —Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 25 May 2024

Members served hot meals several times a week to the homeless and hungry until its June 2023 closure. —Sophie Carson, Journal Sentinel, 17 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English hungrig; akin to Old English hungor

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing hungry

• go hungry

Kids Definition

hungry

adjective

hun·​gry ˈhəŋ-grē 

hungrier; hungriest

1

: feeling or showing hunger

2

: eager, avid

hungry for all the details

hungrily

-grə-lē 

adverb