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Voraciousness: meaning, definitions and examples

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voraciousness

 

[vəˈreɪʃəsnəs ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

in eating

The quality of being voracious; extreme gluttony or greediness.

Synonyms

gluttony, greediness, rapacity.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
voraciousness

Typically refers to an extreme eagerness or desire for something, often food but also knowledge or other activities.

  • Her voraciousness for reading made her a frequent visitor to the library
greediness

Denotes an excessive desire for more than one needs or deserves, commonly related to wealth, power, or food. It usually carries a negative connotation.

  • The businessman's greediness led him to exploit his employees, lowering their wages to increase his profit
gluttony

Specifically relates to over-indulgence in eating and drinking, often viewed negatively as one of the seven deadly sins.

  • His gluttony at the buffet made him feel sick afterward
rapacity

Refers to aggressive greed, especially for money or possessions, and often implies a willingness to use unethical means. This word is highly negative.

  • The rapacity of the colonial powers led to the exploitation of the native populations

Examples of usage

  • He ate with such voraciousness that he finished his meal in minutes.
  • Her voraciousness for chocolate was unmatched by anyone else at the party.
Context #2 | Noun

in desire

An insatiable appetite or desire for something.

Synonyms

avidity, eagerness, insatiability.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
voraciousness

Describes an intense and sometimes aggressive desire or appetite, often for food or consumption, and can carry a negative connotation.

  • The child's voraciousness for sweets worried his parents.
  • The voraciousness of the market's demand left the suppliers scrambling.
insatiability

Denotes an unquenchable or unending desire, often in a negative sense, referring to something that cannot be satisfied.

  • Her insatiability for luxury goods put her in debt.
  • The company's insatiability for profit led to ethical compromises.
eagerness

Expresses a positive and enthusiastic anticipation or desire to do something.

  • He showed great eagerness to start his new job.
  • The children's eagerness to open their presents was palpable.
avidity

Indicates a strong enthusiasm or interest in something, often used in a positive or neutral context.

  • Her avidity for learning new languages helped her travel the world.
  • The scientist’s avidity for research led to groundbreaking discoveries.

Examples of usage

  • His voraciousness for knowledge led him to read books non-stop.
  • The voraciousness of her ambition knew no bounds.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the Latin 'vorax', meaning greedy or gluttonous, derived from 'vorare', meaning to devour.
  • The evolution of the term reflects a shift from purely physical hunger to metaphorical desires, such as being voracious for knowledge or adventure.

Pop Culture

  • In literature, characters described as voracious often exhibit intense passion, from consuming knowledge to pursuing love with great zeal.
  • Television shows often depict voracious characters, such as food critics or competitive eaters, emphasizing their insatiable desires.

Psychology

  • Hunger doesn’t just refer to food; people can also show voraciousness in their pursuit of hobbies, interests, or even relationships.
  • The psychological impact of voracious behavior can lead to both positive outcomes, like motivation, and negative ones, like obsession.

Nature

  • In the animal kingdom, certain species exhibit voraciousness as a survival mechanism, consuming large amounts of food to store energy.
  • Carnivorous animals, such as wolves, demonstrate voracious tendencies when hunting, reflecting their need to sustain themselves and their packs.

Education

  • Teachers often encourage students to be voracious readers, promoting the idea of developing an insatiable curiosity for learning.
  • Schools sometimes implement reading programs to foster voraciousness for books, highlighting the importance of literacy in personal growth.

Translations

Translations of the word "voraciousness" in other languages:

🇵🇹 voracidade

🇮🇳 लालच

🇩🇪 Gier

🇮🇩 rakus

🇺🇦 ненаситність

🇵🇱 żarłoczność

🇯🇵 貪欲

🇫🇷 voracité

🇪🇸 voracidad

🇹🇷 açgözlülük

🇰🇷 탐욕

🇸🇦 جشع

🇨🇿 chamtivost

🇸🇰 chamtivosť

🇨🇳 贪婪

🇸🇮 željnost

🇮🇸 græðgi

🇰🇿 ашкөздік

🇬🇪 მოჭარბება

🇦🇿 acgözlük

🇲🇽 voracidad

Word Frequency Rank

At position #41,441, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.