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 of hungry

• starving
• starved

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

Launching large, rigid satellite dishes into orbit is an expensive and energy-hungry task. —Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 13 Nov. 2025

At a time when wars, environmental disaster, and economic hardship are causing more and more people to go hungry, many donor countries are backing away from funding lifesaving and life- changing food assistance programs. —Arif Husain, Foreign Affairs, 11 Nov. 2025

The withholding of food assistance from hungry Americans — including over 1 million veterans — is unprecedented, said Crystal FitzSimons, president of the anti-hunger organization Food Research and Action Center. —William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 11 Nov. 2025

Audiences are still hungry for Jessica Simpson. —Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 11 Nov. 2025

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