appetite

noun

ap·​pe·​tite ˈa-pə-ˌtīt 

1

: any of the instinctive desires necessary to keep up organic life

especially : the desire to eat

He has a hearty appetite.

2

a

: an inherent craving

an insatiable appetite for work

b

: taste, preference

… the cultural appetites of the time …

—J. D. Hart

appetitive

ˈa-pə-ˌtī-tiv 

adjective

Synonyms

• belly
• emptiness
• famishment
• hunger
• munchies
• stomach

Examples of appetite in a Sentence

He has a healthy appetite.

Some common symptoms are tiredness, nausea, and loss of appetite.

I had no appetite and couldn't sleep.

Recent Examples on the Web

Their caterpillars have huge but similar appetites. —Julia Gomez, USA TODAY, 13 July 2024

Oysters, caviar, deviled eggs, and stuffed croquettes over cocktails during golden hour certainly whetted appetites for the al fresco dinner that awaited. —Freya Drohan, Vogue, 12 July 2024

Peer firms have built up massive data center campuses in other once-rural corners of Fort Worth, hoping to capitalize on the city’s ample open space and the country’s ever-growing appetite for digital information. —Jaime Moore-Carrillo, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 July 2024

The baby boy with a big appetite has learned to hold his head up and is already trying to roll over. —Joanne Fowler, Peoplemag, 11 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English apetit, from Anglo-French, from Latin appetitus, from appetere to strive after, from ad- + petere to go to — more at feather

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing appetite

• hearty appetite
• lose one's appetite
• ravenous appetite
• whet one's appetite

Kids Definition

appetite

noun

ap·​pe·​tite ˈap-ə-ˌtīt 

1

: a natural desire especially for food

2

: taste entry 2 sense 4

an appetite for adventure

Medical Definition

appetite

noun

ap·​pe·​tite ˈap-ə-ˌtīt 

: any of the instinctive desires necessary to keep up organic life

especially : the desire to eat

appetitive

-ˌtīt-iv 

adjective