English Reference
adjective · noun

starving

adj. · n.
US /ˈstɑɹvɪŋ/ UK /stˈɑːvɪŋ/ starv·ing

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate

    adj.suffering or dying because there is not enough food to eat.

    adj.suffering from extreme malnutrition or dying due to a lack of essential nutrients.

    Simple

    The charity is sending emergency supplies to help the starving children in the region.

    In context

    International aid agencies warned that without immediate intervention, thousands of starving refugees would perish before the end of the winter season.

    malnourishedfamine stricken
    well fed
  2. 02 C1 Advanced Formal

    n.the act of suffering from a lack of food.

    n.the state or process of suffering from extreme hunger; the gerundial form of the verb 'starve'.

    Simple

    The starving of the population was used as a cruel tactic during the long war.

    In context

    The report detailed the systematic starving of political prisoners, highlighting a grave violation of international human rights standards.

This entry
Level B1 · Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated