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
- empty
- famished
- peckish [chiefly British]
- starved
- starving
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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 For years, annual inflation has hit triple digits, and shortages of basic food products and medical supplies have left communities hungry and vulnerable. 
Mie Hoejris Dahl, The Christian Science Monitor, 9 Sep. 2022 The Famine Early Warning Systems Network, a project of the US Agency for International Development plus international nonprofits, estimates that as many as 20 million people are hungry. WIRED, 9 Sep. 2022 If being hungry all the time is your downfall, eating big in the morning could help curb your appetite, the study found. Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 9 Sep. 2022 People must have been hungry because during the press conference, the internet feverishly devours photos of Pugh. Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 6 Sep. 2022 The fox is hungry and will eat a chicken if only the two of them are ever left alone. Richard Malena, Popular Mechanics, 29 Aug. 2022 The winner of Tuesday’s election will have to address the country’s massive debt, soaring inflation, a drought in the north that has left millions hungry, and increasing youth unemployment. Rael Ombuor, Washington Post, 9 Aug. 2022 Thanks to a dream team of umami mushrooms, beef-like steamed lentils, and fiber-rich black beans, this vegetarian Mexican recipe all but guarantees no one will leave the table hungry. Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 July 2022 The Biden administration pressed U.S. allies and rivals to contribute more funds to feed the millions left hungry by eastern Africa’s historic drought. Michael M. Phillips, WSJ, 24 July 2022 See More
Mie Hoejris Dahl, The Christian Science Monitor, 9 Sep. 2022 The Famine Early Warning Systems Network, a project of the US Agency for International Development plus international nonprofits, estimates that as many as 20 million people are hungry. WIRED, 9 Sep. 2022 If being hungry all the time is your downfall, eating big in the morning could help curb your appetite, the study found. Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 9 Sep. 2022 People must have been hungry because during the press conference, the internet feverishly devours photos of Pugh. Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 6 Sep. 2022 The fox is hungry and will eat a chicken if only the two of them are ever left alone. Richard Malena, Popular Mechanics, 29 Aug. 2022 The winner of Tuesday’s election will have to address the country’s massive debt, soaring inflation, a drought in the north that has left millions hungry, and increasing youth unemployment. Rael Ombuor, Washington Post, 9 Aug. 2022 Thanks to a dream team of umami mushrooms, beef-like steamed lentils, and fiber-rich black beans, this vegetarian Mexican recipe all but guarantees no one will leave the table hungry. Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 July 2022 The Biden administration pressed U.S. allies and rivals to contribute more funds to feed the millions left hungry by eastern Africa’s historic drought. Michael M. Phillips, WSJ, 24 July 2022 See More 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
Kids Definition
hungry
adjective
hun·gry ˈhəŋ-grē
hungrier; hungriest
1
: feeling or showing hunger
2
: having a strong desire
She was hungry for power.
hungry
adjective
1
as in starving
feeling a desire or need for food John was still hungry after eating only a muffin for breakfast Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- starving
- starved
- famished
- peckish
- ravenous
- malnourished
- undernourished
- empty
- voracious
- underfed
- insatiable
- greedy
- wolfish
- rapacious
- gluttonous
- piggy
- piggish
- gormandizing
- hoggish
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- satisfied
- satiated
- sated
- full
- overfed
- glutted
- stuffed
- satiate
- gorged
- surfeited
- overstuffed
- engorged
- overfull
- replete
2
as in excited
showing urgent desire or interest hungry for the latest news Synonyms & Similar Words
- excited
- eager
- avid
- anxious
- enthusiastic
- thirsty
- impatient
- greedy
- keen
- ardent
- voracious
- athirst
- pumped
- enthused
- happy
- antsy
- interested
- nuts
- raring
- desirous
- ready
- stoked
- solicitous
- crazy
- geeked
- juiced
- great
- wild
- hot
- agog
- willing
- craving
- gung ho
- obsessed
- chomping at the bit
- hepped up
- champing at the bit
- hopped-up
- longing
- engaged
- restless
- ambitious
- covetous
- glad
- hankering
- hung up
- pining
- restive
- breathless
- game
- inclined
- appetent
- disposed
- amenable
- unreluctant
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- indifferent
- apathetic
- uninterested
- disinterested
- unconcerned
- unenthusiastic
- casual
- nonchalant
- incurious
- aloof
- reluctant
- detached
- unwilling
- insouciant
- uneager
- impassive
- lukewarm
- hesitant
- stolid
- spiritless
- lackadaisical
- languid
- halfhearted
- loath
- averse
- loth
- disinclined
- loathe
- languorous
- extrameridian
- extrameridional
- extrametrical
- extramorainal
- extramorainic
- extramundane
- extramural
- extramurally
- extramusical
- extranei heredes
- extraneities
- extraneity
- extraneous
- extraneously
- extraneousness
- extraneousnesses
- extranet
- extranets
- extraneus heres
- extranuclear
- hiring
- hiring hall
- hiring out
- hirings
- hirling