voracity

noun

vo·​rac·​i·​ty və-ˈra-sə-tē How to pronounce voracity (audio)
vȯ-
: the quality or state of being voracious

Did you know?

The insatiable word nerds among us will appreciate voracity, a word used to refer to both literal and figurative appetites that simply cannot be quelled. Voracity comes to us (via Middle French) from the Latin word voracitas, which itself comes from the combining of vorax, meaning “voracious,” with -itas, the Latin equivalent of the English noun suffix -ity. Voracity is one of two English words that mean “the quality or state of being voracious.” The other is voraciousness, which was once considered archaic but has made a comeback. Because voracity developed from non-English forerunners, rather than being created in English from voracious (as was voraciousness), the word may strike some English speakers as an unusual formation. It’s not surprising, therefore, that the more familiar-looking voraciousness has reappeared—most likely through a process of reinvention by people unfamiliar with voracity.

Examples of voracity in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
The biblical voracity of these insects make them among the world’s most destructive pests. Gennaro Tomma, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2024 Obviously though, this voracity for Sonnys doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Alex Abad-Santos, Vox, 8 July 2024 The voracity with which Caputo achieved a fiscal surplus during the first full month of the administration was shocking. Agustino Fontevecchia, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024 While the public’s voracity for opinion polls has diminished greatly after the elections handed Javier Milei the Presidency, figures have slowly been making their way into the public realm. Agustino Fontevecchia, Forbes, 30 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for voracity 

Word History

First Known Use

1526, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of voracity was in 1526

Podcast

Dictionary Entries Near voracity

Cite this Entry

“Voracity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/voracity. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on voracity

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!