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ravenous

adjective
rav·​en·​ous | \ ˈra-və-nəs How to pronounce ravenous (audio) , ˈrav-nəs\

Definition of ravenous

1 : rapacious ravenous wolves
2 : very eager or greedy for food, satisfaction, or gratification a ravenous appetite
Other Words from ravenous Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym ravishing or ravenous? More Example Sentences Learn More about ravenous

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Other Words from ravenous

ravenously adverb
ravenousness noun

Choose the Right Synonym for ravenous

voracious, gluttonous, ravenous, rapacious mean excessively greedy. voracious applies especially to habitual gorging with food or drink. teenagers are often voracious eaters gluttonous applies to one who delights in eating or acquiring things especially beyond the point of necessity or satiety. an admiral who was gluttonous for glory ravenous implies excessive hunger and suggests violent or grasping methods of dealing with food or with whatever satisfies an appetite. a nation with a ravenous lust for territorial expansion rapacious often suggests excessive and utterly selfish acquisitiveness or avarice. rapacious developers indifferent to environmental concerns

ravishing or ravenous?

Ravenous and ravishing are not synonyms, and mixing these two words may lead to potentially awkward writing or conversation. Ravenous is commonly used with the meaning “very eager or greedy for food, satisfaction, or gratification,” and ravishing means “unusually attractive, pleasing, or striking.” If you find yourself hungry and standing in front of a spectacular-looking meal you would say (of the food) “that looks ravishing,” and (of yourself) “I am ravenous.” You may, of course, describe yourself as ravishing, but should be aware that you are commenting on your appearance rather than your hunger.

Examples of ravenous in a Sentence

By the time dinner was ready, we were ravenous. we were ravenous after our canoe paddling, and the chili bubbling over the campfire smelled heavenly

Recent Examples on the Web

 This year, the wet winter resulted in an overwhelming crop of vegetation, Lardie said — too much for one or two goat herds to tackle, even with their ravenous appetites. — Daily Pilot, "Laguna Beach calls on a third herd of goats to eat up dry brush," 28 Aug. 2019 But the moment in time was still a thrill, with a ravenous crowd trying to will the Bucks to victory in a series tied at two games apiece coming into the night. — Jr Radcliffe, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "The Milwaukee Bucks' Fiserv Forum had a blockbuster first year. Here are the 14 top events from Year 1.," 21 Aug. 2019 Streaming on Netflix Kathy Griffin: Balls of Steel (2012) Griffin's entire shtick is making fun of celebrities, so only the most ravenous pop-culture consumers should watch her stand-up. — Christopher Rosa, Glamour, "The Best Female Stand-Up Comedian Specials to Watch Right Now," 16 Aug. 2019 For much of that time, the penguins lived among the residents of a housing development, mostly modest vacation homes, in tight proximity to cars and pets, as well as ravenous foxes. — Besha Rodell, New York Times, "To Save Tiny Penguins, This Suburb Was Wiped Off the Map," 9 Aug. 2019 Miss Caroline, Dave, and Teddy join forces to make sure the kids don't get eaten—and hopefully aren't traumatized for life by the sight of the ravenous undead. — Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, "Gore-filled Little Monsters red band trailer is delightfully demented fun," 31 July 2019 For the first time in a long, long time, the Indianapolis Colts are getting ready to emerge from the offseason without doing much of anything to titillate the NFL’s ravenous rumor mill. — Joel A. Erickson, Indianapolis Star, "Colts' offseason: 7 key steps for Indianapolis as team tries to go from good to great," 20 July 2019 Roberta soon learns to embrace her ravenous appetite. — Barbara Vandenburgh, USA TODAY, "5 books not to miss: 'The Golden Hour,' 'The Chain,' 'Supper Club'," 6 July 2019 The neighborhood, especially River Oaks District, is ravenous for new ideas, Smith said. — Greg Morago, Houston Chronicle, "Ouzo Bay brings seafood thrills to River Oaks," 12 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ravenous.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of ravenous

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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More Definitions for ravenous

ravenous

adjective
How to pronounce ravenous (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of ravenous

: very hungry

See the full definition for ravenous in the English Language Learners Dictionary

ravenous

adjective
rav·​en·​ous | \ ˈra-və-nəs How to pronounce ravenous (audio) \

Kids Definition of ravenous

: very hungry

Other Words from ravenous

ravenously adverb

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More from Merriam-Webster on ravenous

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for ravenous

Spanish Central: Translation of ravenous

Nglish: Translation of ravenous for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of ravenous for Arabic Speakers

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