crave

verb

ˈkrāv 

craved; craving

transitive verb

1

: to ask for earnestly : beg, demand

crave a pardon for neglect

2

a

: to want greatly : need

craves drugs

craves attention

b

: to yearn for

crave a vanished youth

intransitive verb

: to have a strong or inward desire

craves after affection

craver noun

Synonyms of crave

• want
• enjoy
• desire

Choose the Right Synonym for crave

desire, wish, want, crave, covet mean to have a longing for.

desire stresses the strength of feeling and often implies strong intention or aim.

desires to start a new life

wish sometimes implies a general or transient longing especially for the unattainable.

wishes for permanent world peace

want specifically suggests a felt need or lack.

wants to have a family

crave stresses the force of physical appetite or emotional need.

craves sweets

covet implies strong envious desire.

covets his rise to fame

Examples of crave in a Sentence

Like many celebrities, he craves attention.

I was craving french fries, so I pulled into the nearest fast-food restaurant.

Recent Examples on the Web

If the public craves a trillion-dollar tax increase on the well-off, there are better ways to spend the money. — Marc Novicoff, The Atlantic, 24 July 2026

The pancake feels like a perfect example of that philosophy, playful, indulgent, and layered with the kind of attention that turns a late night craving into one of the city’s most memorable brunch dishes. — Emma Jacobson, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 July 2026

Cascais Cascais delivers the perfect blend of calm and community that both younger expats and retirees crave. — Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 23 July 2026

Our Top Picks for the Best Console Tables Minimal, contemporary, and compact, this best-selling console table is for anyone who craves compactness without losing any character along the way. — Nora Taylor, Architectural Digest, 23 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

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

Rhymes for crave

• brave
• cave
• clave
• fave
• gave
• grave
• knave
• lave
• nave
• pave
• rave
• shave

Kids Definition

crave

verb

ˈkrāv 

craved; craving

1

: to ask earnestly : beg

crave a person's pardon

2

: to have a strong desire for

crave a glass of water

crave affection