Starved Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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starved

[stɑːvd ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Verb}

feeling hungry

suffer or die or cause to suffer or die from hunger

Synonyms

famished, hungry, malnourished, underfed.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
starved	This word is used to describe someone who has not eaten for a very long time and is suffering from extreme hunger. It often implies a critical situation. The stray dog looked starved after wandering the streets for days. He felt starved after fasting for 24 hours.
famished	This word is used to describe a feeling of extreme hunger but in a more casual, often exaggerated way, typically in everyday conversation. I'm absolutely famished! Let's get something to eat. The kids came home from school famished and raided the fridge.
hungry	This is the most common word to describe the feeling of needing food. It's used in everyday situations and does not carry an extreme tone. I'm starting to feel hungry. Is it lunchtime yet? She was too hungry to concentrate on her work.
malnourished	This word describes a state of not having enough nutrients over a period of time. It's usually used in medical or serious contexts and often has a negative connotation. Many children in impoverished regions are malnourished. The doctor said his patient was malnourished due to a poor diet.
underfed	This word is used for describing someone or something that has not received enough food. It often implies a sustained period of insufficient nutrition. The underfed livestock were frail and weak. He looked underfed, wearing clothes that were too big for him.

Examples of usage

He was starved for three days before they found him.
The children were starved for attention.
The baby starved to death because her parents neglected her.
We cannot let the refugees starve, we must provide them with food.
Many animals were starved during the drought.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

depriving of something essential

deprive of basic necessities

Synonyms

deny, deplete, deprive, withhold.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
starved	Often used when someone has not had enough food for a long time and is extremely hungry. The homeless man looked starved after days without food
deprive	Describes a situation where someone is prevented from having something they need or want, often causing distress. The oppressive regime aimed to deprive its citizens of their basic human rights
withhold	Used when someone deliberately keeps something back or does not share it, often involving information or resources. The teacher decided to withhold the exam results until all students had completed the test
deny	Used when someone refuses to give or allow something to someone else, often intentionally. The company decided to deny the employees' request for additional leave
deplete	Used when resources or energy are used up or reduced significantly. Repeated mining operations have depleted the region's natural resources

Examples of usage

The dictator starved the people of their freedom.
The company starved its employees of proper working conditions.
The government's policies are starving the healthcare system of resources.
They are being starved of the funding needed to continue their research.
The lack of rain is starving the crops of much-needed water.

^{Context #3 | Adjective}

extremely hungry

suffering from lack of food

Synonyms

famished, hungry, malnourished, undernourished.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
starved	Used to describe someone who has not eaten for a very long time and is suffering severely from lack of food. After being lost in the woods for days, he was completely starved. The prisoners were starved and in desperate need of nourishment.
hungry	General term used to describe the need or desire for food. Suitable for everyday situations. I'm getting hungry. Is it almost lunchtime? The children were hungry after playing outside all afternoon.
famished	Commonly used in casual conversation to describe being extremely hungry, but typically not literally starving. Often used in a hyperbolic or exaggerated sense. I'm absolutely famished; let's get something to eat! After the long hike, she felt famished and couldn't wait for dinner.
malnourished	Describes a state of poor nutrition, often due to lack of proper food or nutrients over a longer period. This term is more clinical and serious. The organization provided aid to malnourished children in the impoverished regions. Many refugees arrive malnourished after their difficult journeys.
undernourished	Similar to malnourished, it describes a state of insufficient nutrition but can sometimes be less severe. This term is often used in a slightly broader context. The undernourished population needed better access to nutritious foods. Despite having food, they were undernourished due to a lack of variety in their diet.

Examples of usage

The starved child eagerly ate the meal in front of him.
The rescue team found the dog in a starved condition.
She looked at the starved beggar with pity in her eyes.
His body was emaciated, a clear sign that he had been starved for weeks.
The starved refugees finally received some much-needed food.

Translations

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

Origin of 'starved'

The word 'starved' originated from the Old English word 'steorfan' meaning 'to die'. Over time, it evolved to mean 'to suffer or die from hunger'. The adjective form 'starved' came from the Old English 'steorfan' as well, with the sense of 'suffering from lack of food'. The figurative usage of 'starved' to mean 'depriving of something essential' emerged later, reflecting the idea of being deprived of basic necessities.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #11,852, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.

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11849 majestic
11850 boarded
11851 ingestion
11852 starved
11853 bombardment
11854 thyself
11855 incense
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