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

As uncertainty continues around when federal food aid will be restored, school districts across North Texas are scrambling to make sure students and their families aren’t forced to go hungry. —Silas Allen, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Nov. 2025

The Indiana Department of Natural Resource’s Division of Law Enforcement division heads up the $145,500 state-run program enacted through legislation in 2013 that encourages hunters to share their excess kills to help feed the hungry. —Karl Schneider, IndyStar, 5 Nov. 2025

The best months are usually July and August, when the water warms enough for dry-fly-fishing but the cutthroat are still hungry after the long, cold spring. —Outside, 4 Nov. 2025

Millions are constantly hungry. —Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 4 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