ravenous

Ravenous is an adjective used to describe an extremely strong or urgent hunger, appetite, or desire. It commonly refers to physical hunger, as in a ravenous appetite after exertion, but it can also describe intense, insatiable cravings for non-food things such as knowledge, power, or attention. The term often conveys a sense of overwhelming intensity rather than a ordinary meal-time hunger.

Etymology and usage notes: Ravenous originates from Middle English and is connected to the idea of greed and devouring. It is related to the broader family of words that express voracity and insatiable desire. In everyday language, ravenous tends to emphasize a robust, almost urgent pull toward whatever is sought.

Related terms and contrasts: Synonyms include voracious, insatiable, and ravening, while antonyms include satiated, full, and quenched. The word can describe both people and animals, and it frequently appears in contexts that stress persistence or persistence of appetite over time.

Cultural references: Ravenous has appeared as a title in popular culture, notably in the 1999 film Ravenous, directed by Antonia Bird. The film uses the term metaphorically to explore themes of survival, hunger, and cannibalism in a historical setting. Beyond film, the concept of ravenous appetite appears in literature and media as a figure of speech for overwhelming desire.

See also: Hunger, appetite, voracity, insatiable, ravening.