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

So that’s very important to me — that kids should not be going hungry. —Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 26 Nov. 2025

Energy experts and economists point to electricity-hungry data centers that underpin AI projects as a key reason for the price inflation. —Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 26 Nov. 2025

So maybe the star just got hungry. —Paul Sutter, Space.com, 26 Nov. 2025

Southern sausage balls meet breakfast casserole in this comforting dish that will bring everyone to the table, sleepy-eyed, hungry, and ready to linger. —Melinda Salchert, Southern Living, 25 Nov. 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