hunger

The feeling that you need to eat.

• I felt hunger after the walk.
• A bowl of soup satisfied his hunger.
• She woke with sharp hunger pangs.

Similar words: hungriness, appetite

Opposites: fullness

Common phrases: feel hunger, hunger pangs, satisfy hunger

A serious shortage of food that leaves people unable to eat enough to stay healthy.

• Many families face hunger.
• The charity works to reduce hunger worldwide.
• War and drought left thousands suffering from hunger.

Similar words: starvation, food shortage

Common phrases: world hunger, fight hunger, die of hunger

A very strong wish or need for something.

• He has a hunger for success.
• Her hunger to learn impressed the teacher.
• The book reflects a deep hunger for freedom.

How to use it: hunger for something (Her hunger for knowledge never faded.); hunger to do something (The players showed a hunger to win.)

Similar words: desire, longing, craving

Common phrases: hunger for success, hunger for knowledge, hunger to win

To want something very strongly.

• They hunger for freedom.
• She hungered for news of her family.
• People who hunger for knowledge will always find questions to ask.

How to use it: hunger for something (She hungered for a chance to start again.); hunger after something (He hungered after power all his life.)

Similar words: long, yearn, crave

Common phrases: hunger for love, hunger for knowledge, hunger after power

To need food because you have not eaten enough.

• The children hungered through the winter.
• No one should hunger while food goes to waste.
• They hungered and thirsted during the long journey.

Similar words: be hungry, go hungry

Common phrases: hunger and thirst, hunger for bread