hungry

adjective

hun·​gry ˈhəŋ-grē How to pronounce hungry (audio)
hungrier; hungriest
Synonyms of hungry
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 How to pronounce hungry (audio)
adverb
hungriness
ˈhəŋ-grē-nəs How to pronounce hungry (audio)
noun

Synonyms of hungry

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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The relentless spread of energy-hungry data centers is pushing demand higher still. — Philip H. Gordon, Foreign Affairs, 12 Oct. 2026 The film is currently in production in Paris and focuses on Banderas’ Cortés as a glory-hungry soldier in 1519 who leads an expedition to the Yucatán. — Corbin Bolies, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026 Last week, Google’s Project Suncatcher launched a refrigerator-sized satellite carrying four AI chips into orbit on a SpaceX rocket, in an early test of whether the technology behind today’s power-hungry data centers could someday operate in space. — Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2026 The incident is indicative of a growing problem in the Asheville area, involving humans giving hungry bears easy access to a buffet of tasty trash, experts say. — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 9 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hungry

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of hungry was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing hungry

Browse Nearby Words

hungriness
hungry
hungry rice
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hungry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hungry. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

hungry

adjective
hun·​gry ˈhəŋ-grē How to pronounce hungry (audio)
hungrier; hungriest
1
: feeling or showing hunger
2
: eager, avid
hungry for all the details
hungrily
-grə-lē How to pronounce hungry (audio)
adverb
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