hungry

adjective

hun·​gry ˈhəŋ-grē 

hungrier; hungriest

1

a

: feeling an uneasy or painful sensation from lack of food : feeling hunger

b

: characterized by or characteristic of hunger or appetite

a wolf with hungry eyes

2

a

: eager, avid

hungry for affection

b

: strongly motivated (as by ambition)

hungry investors

a power-hungry politician

3

: not rich or fertile : barren

a hungry soil

hungrily

ˈhəŋ-grə-lē 

adverb

hungriness

ˈhəŋ-grē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms of hungry

• starving
• starved

Examples of hungry in a Sentence

There are millions of hungry people throughout the world.

That girl is always hungry.

The prisoners' families were hungry for more information.

They were hungry to learn more.

Recent Examples on the Web

But Ecuador, which had only 1 point entering the match, was hungry for a big win. — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 26 June 2026

All the young guys are really hungry. — Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 June 2026

These firms manage trillions of dollars raised from institutions hungry for returns that outpace the public markets. — Lewis Schiff, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026

For patients with a hungry brain, switching to dual agonists such as tirzepatide (commercially known as Mounjaro), which targets two digestive hormones, GLP-1 and glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP) may be useful. — Nadine Wehida, Scientific American, 25 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English hungrig; akin to Old English hungor

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing hungry

• go hungry

Kids Definition

hungry

adjective

hun·​gry ˈhəŋ-grē 

hungrier; hungriest

1

: feeling or showing hunger

2

: eager, avid

hungry for all the details

hungrily

-grə-lē 

adverb