T. S. Eliot
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Famish likely developed as an alteration of Middle English famen, meaning "to starve." The Middle English word was borrowed from the Anglo-French verb afamer, which etymologists believe came from Vulgar Latin affamare. We say "believe" because, while no written evidence has yet been found for the Vulgar Latin word affamare, it would be the expected source for the Anglo-French verb based on the combination of the Latin prefix ad- ("to" or "toward") and the root noun fames ("hunger"). In contemporary English, the verb famish is still used on occasion, but it is considerably less common than the related adjective famished, which usually means "hungry" or "starving" but can also mean "needy" or "being in want."
Examples of famish in a Sentence
Margaret Osborne, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 June 2023
Each household can bring their guy's favorite dish for a menu that is sure to please all famished fathers in attendance.
—Alyssa Longobucco, House Beautiful, 13 May 2023
Beverly and Elliot, both played by Weisz, have just gotten off their shift and are famished; Elliot is seen inhaling her burger under the grim overhead lighting.
—Jennifer Wilson, The New Republic, 8 May 2023
Dear Amy: At the end of an extremely long road trip, my fiancée, her 16-year-old son and I stopped at a noisy sports bar at 9:30 p.m. – famished.
—Amy Dickinson, oregonlive, 22 Apr. 2023
See All Example Sentences for famish
Cite this Entry
“Famish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/famish. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.
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