Hungry Meaning and Definition

Pronunciation

/ˈhʌŋ.gry/ ❗️

Part of Speech

Adjective

Definition

Feeling a need or desire to eat food; having an empty stomach; characterized by a lack of food or nutrients.

Examples

• The baby was hungry and began to cry.
• I’m starving, let’s go get some lunch.

Etymology

The word “Hungry” originates from the Old English word “hungrig”, which is related to the Proto-Germanic word “*hungriz” and the Proto-Indo-European root “*ker-” meaning “to growl” or “to hunger”.

Usage Notes

When describing human emotions, “Hungry” is often used to convey physical or emotional craving for food or sustenance. In this context, it is more formal and is not typically used to describe internal conflicts or desires.

Cultural References

In popular culture, “Hungry” has been referenced in various contexts, including music (e.g., “Hungry Like the Wolf” by Duran Duran), film (e.g., “The Hungry Games”), and advertising (e.g., Hungry-Man TV commercials).

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

• “Hungry for attention”
• “Hungry for power”
• “Hungry eyes” (referring to someone with a greedy or covetous gaze)

Related Words or Phrases

• Famished
• Starving
• Ravenous
• Appetite
• Hunger

Collocations

• “Hungry for food”
• “Hungry for attention”
• “Hungry eyes”

Frequency of Use

(Average frequency of use in modern language)

Common Misspellings

• Hungeree
• Hangry