starved
- 01 B1 Intermediate
feeling extremely hungry, often used when you have missed a meal.
feeling an urgent need for food; frequently used as a colloquial hyperbole for being very hungry.
Simple“Is dinner ready yet? I'm absolutely starved.”
In context“By the time the hikers reached the cabin, they were absolutely starved and immediately began preparing a massive meal.”
UsageOften used in the phrase 'starved for' or 'starved of'.
Teacher's tipIn everyday conversation, this is almost always an exaggeration rather than a medical description.
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
not getting enough of something you need, like love, attention, or news.
deprived of a non-physical necessity or a specific type of stimulation.
Simple“The lonely puppy was starved for attention and followed us everywhere.”
In context“The remote village was starved of reliable information during the storm, leaving the residents to rely on local rumours.”
UsageUsually followed by the preposition 'of' or 'for'.
Teacher's tipExplain to students that 'starved for' usually implies a desire for the thing, while 'starved of' focuses on the lack itself.
- 03 C1 Advanced
suffering or dying because there is not enough food to eat.
suffering from extreme poverty or lack of food; emaciated due to prolonged malnutrition.
Simple“The charity provided medical care to the starved children in the refugee camp.”
In context“The clinical report described the rescued animals as severely starved, requiring immediate intravenous fluids and specialized nutrition.”
Teacher's tipThis literal sense is much more serious and formal than the common informal use.
SynonymsAntonymswell fed
“Its deep water never fully turns over, leaving the bottom starved of oxygen and free of currents.”
“Starved ants developed higher levels of NPF and lower levels of AstA, making them behave more like caregivers.”