online vocabulary.com

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.

starved

/stɑrvd/ /stɑːvd/

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.

MORE VOCABULARY LISTS