# crave

/ˈkɹeɪv/ (US) · /kɹˈeɪv/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/crave
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. to desire strongly

verb · CEFR B1

to have a very strong desire for something, like a certain food or a feeling.

For teachers: 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.

### 2. to ask earnestly

verb · CEFR C2 · Literary · Archaic

to ask for something in a very serious or polite way.

For teachers: 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'.

## Examples

- I really crave chocolate after dinner.
- She craves the quiet of the library during her busy work week.
- The poet's work reveals a deep craving for connection that transcends the physical limitations of his isolated existence.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.