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

• ache (for)
• covet
• desiderate
• desire
• die (for)
• hanker (for or after)
• hunger (for)
• itch (for)
• jones (for) [slang]
• long (for)
• lust (for or after)
• pant (after)
• pine (for)
• repine (for)
• salivate (for)
• sigh (for)
• thirst (for)
• want
• wish (for)
• yearn (for)
• yen (for)

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

Every single human being in this room craves for peace. —Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2024

Carol on the other hand craves routine and finds it with the help of a coworker (Laurie Metcalf) and friend (Gillian Jacobs), leaving audiences to debate the meaning of their own lives. —Chris Snellgrove, EW.com, 2 Apr. 2024

Folks who crave the menu at the previous Quinn’s need not worry, as the kitchen is making clam chowder from scratch and frying fish and chips, popcorn shrimp, chicken wings and salt-and-pepper calamari. —John Metcalfe, The Mercury News, 1 Apr. 2024

But the challenge lies in translating this data into the personalized experiences customers crave, at scale. —Carol Howley, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024

Chris recruits Shilpa to brainstorm recipes for simple baking projects that are delicious without being too fussy, in order to build the confidence that Nina craves. —The Bon Appétit Staff & Contributors, Bon Appétit, 28 Mar. 2024

Although online forums can provide some of the togetherness that young people crave, ideally, Haidt writes, most of their interactions should unfold in person, unmediated by screens, which requires emotional effort and investment. —Jessica Winter, The New Yorker, 28 Mar. 2024

Meanwhile, Loftin and her neighbors crave more immediate relief. —Jaime Moore-Carrillo, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Mar. 2024

Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines and textile brand Loloi partnered in a new drop of rugs and throw pillows that features the warm, earthy palettes so many of us crave in our homes. —Christianna Silva, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Mar. 2024

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

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