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

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

Although the first orbiting data centers will exclusively crunch data collected in space, some technologists think that power-hungry computing infrastructure would in the future do better in space, where solar power is constant and cooling is easy. —Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 14 Apr. 2025

Attacking players have to be hungry out of possession under Hurzeler and Minteh has demonstrated discipline in tracking back. —Andy Naylor, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025

Nutrients and Watering Cannabis plants are hungry for nutrients, especially nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. —Matt Rozo, Mercury News, 11 Apr. 2025

But cuteness adds a touch of whimsical absurdity that further defangs the power hungry. —Yii-Jan Lin, The Conversation, 11 Apr. 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