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

The pair suggests that our visual culture is so polished and optimized that interiors crave authenticity. —Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 22 May 2026

Hook's sells a wide selection of cheeses that will leave you craving more. —Jen Crystal, Midwest Living, 22 May 2026

After work or stressful days, the brain naturally craves convenience, dopamine, comfort and low-effort rewards. —Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Sacbee.com, 22 May 2026

The tiny glow-boosting beads burst upon contact to support elasticity and collagen production, making this an especially good pick for mature skin craving more cushion and bounce. —Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 20 May 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