ENGLISH
REFERENCE

starved

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈstɑɹvd// UK //stˈɑːvd// starved Informal

adj. feeling very hungry or needing something very badly. You can use it when you haven't eaten all day or when you lack something like attention or love.

adj. suffering from extreme hunger or deprived of a vital need. Often used predicatively after linking verbs like 'feel' or 'look' to express a strong desire or deficiency.


SIMPLE

I am absolutely starved after that long hike.

CONTEXTUAL

The neglected plants looked starved for water after the long, dry summer heatwave.

COMPLEX

In an era of constant digital noise, many people feel starved for genuine human connection and quiet reflection, leading to a rise in mindfulness retreats.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Usage

Commonly followed by the preposition 'for' when describing a lack of something abstract, such as 'starved for affection'.

Pitfall

I am starving for a sandwichI am starved for a sandwichWhile 'starving' describes the active state of hunger, 'starved' is the preferred participial adjective when emphasizing the state of deprivation or using the 'for' construction.

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