craving

1 of 2

noun

crav·​ing ˈkrā-viŋ 

: an intense, urgent, or abnormal desire or longing

a craving for chocolate

a craving for new experiences

craving

2 of 2

present participle of crave

Synonyms of craving

Noun

• desire
• longing
• thirst
• urge
• hunger
• appetite

Examples of craving in a Sentence

Noun

I had a sudden craving for french fries, so I pulled into the nearest fast-food restaurant.

a pregnant woman with a craving for pickles

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Anyone who stands in front of De Kooning’s urgent, sensuously greedy drawings, with their writhing contours, cacophonous colors, and perverse processes, can feel the force of that craving. — Sebastian Smee, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2026

Many people notice hunger, cravings, or energy dips in the afternoon. — Lindsey Desoto, HEALTH, 15 Sep. 2026

Kanarek, a former heroin user, now took Suboxone to ease cravings. — Ian Parker, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2026

This homey recipe will satisfy burger cravings and save you a trip to the fast food drive-thru. — Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 14 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

see crave

First Known Use

Noun

1633, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for craving

• braving
• caving
• graving
• laving
• paving
• raving
• saving
• shaving
• slaving
• staving
• waiving
• waving

Kids Definition

craving

noun

crav·​ing ˈkrā-viŋ 

: a great desire or longing