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 of appetite

• hunger
• stomach
• craving

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

But past the mental health measures and possible support for a ghost gun ban, there’s little indication of bipartisan appetite for restrictions on assault weapons. —Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 24 Feb. 2026

According to Amy Shapiro, MS, RD, founder of Real Nutrition in New York City and lead nutritionist for Butcher Box, this amount helps set the tone for blood sugar, appetite, and energy for hours. —Michele Ross, SELF, 24 Feb. 2026

Tierney’s comments suggested a team fully aware of the fandom’s appetite and determined not to let urgency compromise the work. —Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 24 Feb. 2026

Jaresko said taking over any part of Ukraine will only whet Putin’s imperialist appetite. —Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English appetit, appetite "inherent drive or urge (in physiology), desire for food or drink, longing," borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French appetit, apetite (also continental Old French apetit), borrowed from Latin appetītus "natural or instinctive desire," from appetī-, variant stem of appetere "to try to reach, have a natural desire for, seek to obtain, strive after" (from ap- ap- + petere "to direct one's course to, seek to obtain") + -tu-, -tus, suffix of action nouns — more at feather entry 1

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

Rhymes for appetite

• acolyte
• aconite
• allanite
• alunite
• amberlite
• ammonite
• amorite
• amphitrite
• analyte
• anchorite
• andesite
• anhydrite

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