Word
gluttony
Phoneticsglut·tony
US/ˈɡɫətəni/
UK/ɡlˈʌtəni/
Uncountable noun
Definition
n. the habit of eating or drinking much more than you need. It is often used to describe one of the 'seven deadly sins' in historical or religious contexts.
n. habitual greed or excess in eating. Frequently referenced as one of the seven deadly sins in Christian theology, though it is also applied to general overindulgence in modern contexts.
Examples
“He was accused of gluttony after eating three whole pizzas.”
“The holiday feast was a display of pure gluttony, with tables overflowing with more food than the guests could ever finish.”
“While modern society often frames overeating as a health concern, historical literature frequently treated gluttony as a moral failing that reflected a lack of self-discipline and spiritual focus.”
Examples
simple
“He was accused of gluttony after eating three whole pizzas.”
contextual
“The holiday feast was a display of pure gluttony, with tables overflowing with more food than the guests could ever finish.”
complex
“While modern society often frames overeating as a health concern, historical literature frequently treated gluttony as a moral failing that reflected a lack of self-discipline and spiritual focus.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “gluttony” in context.
Verb
01. condemn gluttony
“Many religious traditions condemn gluttony as a distraction from spiritual growth.”
verb + noun
02. gluttony prevails
“When gluttony prevails over self-control, health problems inevitably follow.”
noun + verb
03. indulge in gluttony
“During the festival, it was common for citizens to indulge in gluttony and excess.”
verb + prep + noun
04. punish gluttony
“In Dante's Inferno, the third circle of hell is reserved to punish gluttony.”
verb + noun
Adjective
05. sheer gluttony
“The feast was a display of sheer gluttony, with guests eating far beyond their fill.”
adj + noun
06. sinful gluttony
“Medieval preachers often warned their congregations against the perils of sinful gluttony.”
adj + noun
07. unrestrained gluttony
“The novel depicts the unrestrained gluttony of the ruling class while the poor starved.”
adj + noun
Noun
08. bout of gluttony
“A sudden bout of gluttony left him feeling lethargic and unwell for the rest of the day.”
noun + prep + noun
09. sin of gluttony
“He confessed to the sin of gluttony after consuming the entire banquet alone.”
noun + prep + noun
10. border on gluttony
“His appetite for expensive delicacies began to border on gluttony.”
11. guilty of gluttony
“I must admit I was guilty of gluttony during my holiday in Italy.”
12. one of the seven deadly sins
“Gluttony is traditionally categorized as one of the seven deadly sins in Christian theology.”
Usage
Often used in religious or literary contexts; can be applied metaphorically to any excessive consumption.
Real-World Examples
“They were gluttons, but saw gluttony not as a sin but as a virtue and a mark of cultural sophistication.” “Gluttony is one among the seven deadly sins in more than one Hindu school of thought, and Islam too sees it as a corruption of the senses.” “The good news is that knowing how our surroundings push us toward gluttony, we can push back, psyching ourselves into eating less and feeling better.” “Gluttony, lust and the other ‘deadly sins’ are seen as immoral, but are we hardwired to commit them?” Etymology
Old French glutonie, from gloton + -ie < Latin glutio, equivalent to glutton + -y.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- 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.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL 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: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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