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

To tackle these challenges, Leicester wanted a fresh, young and hungry coach with the skills and playing philosophy that could excite the fans. —Rob Tanner, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025

The ration boxes meant to feed the hungry have become a generation’s economy. —Mohammed R. Mhawish, New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2025

Part of the story is the investment that Pennsylvania and surrounding states are making into new technology, including power-hungry data centers fueling artificial intelligence. —Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025

What fan base is hungriest to win it all? —Miami Herald, 13 Oct. 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