craving

noun

crav·​ing ˈkrā-viŋ 

: an intense, urgent, or abnormal desire or longing

a craving for chocolate

a craving for new experiences

Synonyms

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

Examples of craving in a Sentence

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

For weight loss, the afternoon may be best to help reduce cravings. —Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 1 Aug. 2025

Some people have reported using kratom products for pain, anxiety and drug withdrawal symptoms and cravings. —Jenna Sundel gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 July 2025

How Dubai chocolate was born Legend has it the chocolate bar was created in 2022 by Fix’s British-Egyptian owner Sarah Hamouda to satisfy her pregnancy cravings. —Shindy Chen july 29, Charlotte Observer, 29 July 2025

Still, society’s craving for opulence, though never again as acute as under the Second Empire, proved surprisingly durable. —Leslie Camhi, New Yorker, 25 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

see crave

First Known Use

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