starving
word · lemma: starve
/ˈstɑɹvɪŋ/
STAR-ving
/stˈɑːvɪŋ/
STAH-ving
Definition
If someone is starving, they are suffering badly from not having enough food. In everyday speech, it is also often used informally to mean very hungry.
Usage & Nuances
Often stronger than 'hungry'. In serious contexts, it refers to real lack of food; in casual speech, 'I'm starving' usually just means 'I'm very hungry'. Common pattern: 'be starving'. Be careful not to use the casual sense in situations involving real famine or suffering.
Spanish: muriéndose de hambre - hambriento (coloquial, con mucha hambre)Portuguese (BR): morrendo de fome - faminto (coloquial, com muita fome)Portuguese (PT): a morrer de fome - esfomeado (coloquial, com muita fome)Chinese (Simplified): 快饿死了的 - 挨饿的Chinese (Traditional): 快餓死了的 - 挨餓的Hindi: भूख से मरता हुआ - बहुत भूखाArabic: يتضور جوعًا - جائع جدًاBengali: অনাহারে মারা যাচ্ছি - খুব ক্ষুধার্তRussian: умирать с голоду - очень голодныйJapanese: 餓死しそう - とてもお腹がすいているVietnamese: đói lả - đói chếtKorean: 굶주리다 - 몹시 배고프다Turkish: açlıktan ölmek - çok acıkmakUrdu: بھوکا مرنا - بہت بھوکاIndonesian: kelaparan - sangat lapar
Example Sentences
The children were starving after the long trip.
basic
Many people are starving because of the war.
basic
I am starving and need lunch now.
basic
We skipped breakfast, so by noon we were starving.
natural
Can we order soon? I'm starving.
natural
After that workout, I was absolutely starving.
natural