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

• 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

Melty cheese, creamy soup, chicken, and pasta come together in the perfect recipe for a house filled with hungry guests. —Emma Ashe, Southern Living, 1 Oct. 2025

Her aunt, who owns a food truck, cooked birria, rice, beans and flautas for the hungry crowd. —Dawn Klavon, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2025

At its center, Jovanka Antich — exiled, betrayed, hungry for justice — embodies themes of migration, discrimination and gender power. —Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 1 Oct. 2025

Come for some of the best actresses of our time as power-hungry witches; stay for Stevie Nicks' cameo as a real one. —James Mercadante, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Oct. 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