Crave Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

😋

Add to dictionary

crave

[kreɪv ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Verb}

strong desire for

To crave means to have a very strong desire for something. It is an intense longing or yearning for a particular thing, whether it be a physical object, a feeling, or an experience.

Synonyms

desire, long for, yearn for.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
crave	Often used to express a strong, intense, or urgent feeling of wanting something, usually food or drink, or sometimes attention or a specific experience. I always crave chocolate late at night. She craves adventure and new experiences.
desire	Refers to a strong feeling of wanting something or wishing for something to happen, often used in a more formal or abstract sense. Can also refer to sexual or romantic wants. He has a strong desire to succeed in his career. Her desire for knowledge drives her to read many books.
long for	Usually refers to a deep emotional need or want for something, often something distant or unattainable in the near future. After months of travel, he longed for home. She longed for the days of her youth.
yearn for	Implies a deep, often melancholic desire for something, usually something that is difficult or impossible to obtain immediately. He yearned for his lost love. They yearn for a simpler life away from the city.

Examples of usage

She craved chocolate all day long.
He craved adventure and excitement in his life.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

strong desire for food

In a more specific context, to crave can also mean to have a strong desire for a specific type of food. It often implies a deep hunger or appetite for a particular dish or cuisine.

Synonyms

have a craving for, hunger for, yearn for.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
crave	Used to express a strong desire or need for something, often related to food or a particular experience. She craved chocolate after dinner He craves adventure and excitement in his life
hunger for	Used to express a deep and often urgent need or desire, sometimes metaphorically. This phrase can be used for both physical hunger and emotional or intellectual longing. He hungers for success in his career After exercising, she hungers for a hearty meal
have a craving for	Used in casual or informal situations to express a sudden or intense desire for something, particularly food. I'm having a craving for pizza right now She had a craving for ice cream in the middle of the night
yearn for	Used to express a deep emotional longing or desire for something often unattainable or distant. It carries a sense of melancholy. She yearned for her childhood home He yearned for the days when his family was all together

Examples of usage

I'm craving a slice of pizza right now.
She craved spicy food after a long day at work.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'crave'

The word 'crave' originated from the Old English word 'crafian', which means 'to ask, implore, demand by right'. Over time, the meaning evolved to convey a strong desire or longing for something. The word has been used in English literature and language for centuries, capturing the essence of intense longing and yearning.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #16,940, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.

...
16937 humerus
16938 navigating
16939 stalled
16940 crave
16941 dreamt
16942 magnifying
16943 tipping
...