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

• 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 instead, Tuchel picked a hungry, in-form squad and the players rewarded him by playing like this. —Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2025

Their incredibly close relationship is rocked when Daniel meets the human version of an earthquake, Cherry (Olivia Cooke), an intoxicating and status-hungry real estate agent. —Erin Jensen, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025

Bright red drupes often remain well into October, accenting the foliage and attracting hungry songbirds to the autumn garden. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 10 Sep. 2025

Small groups are more efficient, and everyone there needs to be hungry. —Joe Moglia, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025

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