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

After the second red card, Mexico took its foot off the gas again and was met with whistles from the crowd, who were hungry for more goals. —Eduard Cauich, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2026

But most importantly, for this group of hungry epicureans, the food looks and feels like a 19th century dinner party from the French film The Taste of Things. —Jennifer Leigh Parker, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026

The most power-hungry appliance in an RV is typically the central air conditioner. —Bestreviews, Mercury News, 11 June 2026

Los Angeles and was still hungry to do something creatively. —Scott Feinberg, HollywoodReporter, 11 June 2026

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