Starved - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
Starved means suffering severely from hunger or lacking something essential. It can describe extreme physical need for food or a strong desire for something, like attention or affection.
Definition:
Suffered or died from lack of food; extremely hungry.
Synonyms:
famished, ravenous, undernourished, malnourished
Part of Speech:
adjective, verb (past tense)
Antonyms:
full, nourished, satisfied
Common Collocations:
starved to death, starved for attention, starved of nutrients
Derivatives:
starvation, starving
Usage Tips:
Use "starved" to describe extreme hunger or deprivation; often paired with "of" or "for" (e.g., "starved for affection").
Common Phrases:
starved for attention, starved into submission, starved of love
Etymology:
Derived from Old English "steorfan," meaning "to die," later evolving to emphasize death by hunger.
Examples:
- 1. The refugees were starved after days without food.
- 2. She felt starved for companionship in the new city.
- 3. The abandoned dog looked starved and weak.
- 4. They were nearly starved during the harsh winter.