ravenous

adjective

rav·​en·​ous ˈra-və-nəs 

ˈrav-nəs

1

: rapacious

ravenous wolves

2

: very eager or greedy for food, satisfaction, or gratification

a ravenous appetite

ravenously adverb

ravenousness noun

Did you know?

ravishing or ravenous?

Ravenous and ravishing are not synonyms, and mixing these two words may lead to potentially awkward writing or conversation. Ravenous is commonly used with the meaning “very eager or greedy for food, satisfaction, or gratification,” and ravishing means “unusually attractive, pleasing, or striking.” If you find yourself hungry and standing in front of a spectacular-looking meal you would say (of the food) “that looks ravishing,” and (of yourself) “I am ravenous.” You may, of course, describe yourself as ravishing, but should be aware that you are commenting on your appearance rather than your hunger.

Synonyms

• edacious
• esurient
• gluttonous
• greedy
• hoggish
• piggish
• rapacious
• swinish
• voracious

Choose the Right Synonym for ravenous

voracious, gluttonous, ravenous, rapacious mean excessively greedy.

voracious applies especially to habitual gorging with food or drink.

teenagers are often voracious eaters

gluttonous applies to one who delights in eating or acquiring things especially beyond the point of necessity or satiety.

an admiral who was gluttonous for glory

ravenous implies excessive hunger and suggests violent or grasping methods of dealing with food or with whatever satisfies an appetite.

a nation with a ravenous lust for territorial expansion

rapacious often suggests excessive and utterly selfish acquisitiveness or avarice.

rapacious developers indifferent to environmental concerns

Examples of ravenous in a Sentence

By the time dinner was ready, we were ravenous.

we were ravenous after our canoe paddling, and the chili bubbling over the campfire smelled heavenly

Recent Examples on the Web

Regardless of their general publisher designation, the ravenous architects of Hungry Minds want to be known beyond the world of reading. —Josh Weiss, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025

Once everyone had a turn, the tables were opened for ravenous seconds, thirds and fourths, until no crumbs were left behind. —Simon J. Levien, New York Times, 30 Mar. 2025

The array of eats ranges from grab-and-go items for the ravenous after-school crowd, to couscous salad, beef wraps and falafel for lunchtime visitors, or Swedish or Turkish-style coffee and fresh-baked baklava for those seeking an afternoon pick-me-up. —Linda Zavoral, The Mercury News, 24 Mar. 2025

That is especially true under Trump, a ravenous consumer of right-wing media who is attuned to the beliefs of Republicans. —Alexandra Chinchilla, Foreign Affairs, 20 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English ravynous, raveynous, from ravyn, raveyn "robbery, rapacity" + -ous -ous — more at ravin

Note: Alternatively, and perhaps more likely, ravynous, etc., may be a derivative of an unattested Middle English verb—see the note at raven entry 3.

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing ravenous

• ravenous appetite

Kids Definition

ravenous

adjective

rav·​en·​ous ˈrav-(ə-)nəs 

: very eager for food or satisfaction

ravenously adverb

ravenousness noun