appetite

noun

ap·​pe·​tite ˈa-pə-ˌtīt How to pronounce appetite (audio)
1
: any of the instinctive desires necessary to keep up organic life
especially : the desire to eat
He has a hearty appetite.
2
a
: an inherent craving
an insatiable appetite for work
b
: taste, preference
… the cultural appetites of the time …J. D. Hart
appetitive adjective

Examples of appetite in a Sentence

He has a healthy appetite. Some common symptoms are tiredness, nausea, and loss of appetite. I had no appetite and couldn't sleep.
Recent Examples on the Web In China especially, where the appetite for Japanese and other foreign animation once seemed unlimited, connections with the Japanese anime industry have become strained, if not severed. Mark Schilling, Variety, 16 Mar. 2024 Nonetheless, the public appetite for model-unboxing was quickly sated, and, by 1942, the surviving models were scattered to collectors far and wide. Nicola Twilley, The New Yorker, 12 Mar. 2024 Symptoms of plague in pets Plague symptoms in cats and dogs include fever, lethargy and loss of appetite, according to the New Mexico Department of Health. Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 12 Mar. 2024 Here are four factors or trends that could offer clues to whether a bubble is forming now: The appetite for initial public offerings An IPO is the process in which corporations sell stock to the public for the first time. The Arizona Republic, 10 Mar. 2024 Stronach’s appetite to foot that kind of bill is largely unknown. Chris Biderman, Sacramento Bee, 8 Mar. 2024 Tips for Caregivers Loss of appetite is normal and to be expected at the end of life. Jenny Sweigard, Verywell Health, 4 Mar. 2024 Image For decades, the voracious American appetite for narcotics fueled the rise of vast criminal networks in Mexico, yet drugs were not historically consumed on a large scale in the country. Natalie Kitroeff Meridith Kohut, New York Times, 3 Mar. 2024 There will be an appetite for information about Ohtani’s relationship, particularly about the identity of his wife, and the country’s notoriously aggressive tabloid magazines are certain to do everything in their power to satisfy that hunger. Dylan Hernández, Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'appetite.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English apetit, from Anglo-French, from Latin appetitus, from appetere to strive after, from ad- + petere to go to — more at feather

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of appetite was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near appetite

Cite this Entry

“Appetite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/appetite. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

appetite

noun
ap·​pe·​tite ˈap-ə-ˌtīt How to pronounce appetite (audio)
1
: a natural desire especially for food
2
: taste entry 2 sense 4
an appetite for adventure

Medical Definition

appetite

noun
ap·​pe·​tite ˈap-ə-ˌtīt How to pronounce appetite (audio)
: any of the instinctive desires necessary to keep up organic life
especially : the desire to eat
appetitive adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on appetite

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