Word
crave
US/ˈkɹeɪv/
UK/kɹˈeɪv/
Definitions
01to desire strongly
B1 · Intermediate
v. to have a very strong desire for something, like a certain food or a feeling.
v. to feel a powerful or compulsive desire for something; often used with physical appetites or psychological needs.
“After a long day at work, I really crave a hot bath and some peace.”
“Many people find that they crave sugary snacks when they are under significant stress at the office.”
Usage
Often used with the preposition 'for' when followed by a noun.
Synonyms
02to ask earnestly
C2 · Proficiency Literary · Archaic
v. to ask for something in a very serious or polite way.
v. to request or beg for something earnestly, typically from a person in a position of power.
“I crave your indulgence for a moment while I explain my reasons.”
“The prisoner fell to his knees to crave the king's mercy before the sentence was carried out.”
Usage
Usually transitive, taking a direct object like 'pardon' or 'attention'.
Etymology
From Middle English craven, from Old English crafian (“to crave, ask, implore, demand, summon”), from Proto-West Germanic krafōn, from Proto-Germanic krafjaną (“to demand”). Cognate with Danish kræve (“to demand, require”), Swedish kräva (“to crave, demand”), Icelandic krefja (“to demand”), Norwegian kreve (“to demand”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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