crave

crave

verb \ˈkrāv\

cravedcrav·ing

Definition of CRAVE

transitive verb

1

: to ask for earnestly : beg, demand <crave a pardon for neglect>

2

a : to want greatly : need <craves drugs>

b : to yearn for <crave a vanished youth>

intransitive verb

: to have a strong or inward desire <craves after affection>

— crav·er noun

Examples of CRAVE

1. Like many celebrities, he craves attention.
2. I was craving french fries, so I pulled into the nearest fast-food restaurant.

Origin of CRAVE

Middle English, from Old English crafian; akin to Old Norse krefja to crave, demand

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to CRAVE

Synonyms

ache (for), covet, desire, desiderate, die (for), hanker (for or after), hunger (for), itch (for), jones (for) [slang], long (for), lust (for or after), pant (after), pine (for), repine (for), salivate (for), sigh (for), thirst (for), want, wish (for), yearn (for), yen (for)

Related Words

spoil (for); adore, delight (in), dig, enjoy, fancy, groove (on), like, love, relish, revel (in); favor, prefer; admire, appreciate, cherish, prize, treasure, value

Near Antonyms

abhor, abominate, despise, detest, execrate, hate, loathe; decline, refuse, reject, spurn

See Synonym Discussion at desire

Rhymes with CRAVE

brave, cave, clave, fave, glaive, grave, knave, lave, nave, pave, rave, save, shave, slave, stave, waive, wave, Wave