appetite
11 synonyms and 0 antonyms for appetite, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A desire to eat.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use appetite
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old French apetit, from Latin appetitus, "a longing for," from appetere, "to strive after" — ad- ("toward") + petere ("to seek").
Full origin of appetite →Frequently asked questions
What does “appetite” mean?
The word “appetite” means a desire to eat. In plain terms, your desire to eat, or more broadly, a strong craving or enthusiasm for something.
How do you pronounce “appetite”?
“Appetite” is pronounced AP-ih-tyt (/ˈæp.əˌtaɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “appetite” in a sentence?
Here is “appetite” used in a sentence: “Fresh air always gives me a huge appetite.”
What is another word for “appetite”?
Words with a similar meaning to “appetite” include craving, longing, desire, appetency and passion.
What part of speech is “appetite”?
“Appetite” is a noun.
Where does the word “appetite” come from?
The word “appetite” comes from Latin. From Old French apetit, from Latin appetitus, "a longing for," from appetere, "to strive after" — ad- ("toward") + petere ("to seek").
Is “appetite” a common word?
“Appetite” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “appetite” have?
“Appetite” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a desire to eat.
What is the difference between "appetite" and "hunger"?
Hunger is the physical need or discomfort that signals the body needs food, while appetite is the desire to eat, which can be shaped by taste, mood, or habit even when you are not truly hungry. You can have an appetite without being hungry, and lose your appetite while still needing to eat.
What is the difference between "appetite" and "craving"?
An appetite is a general desire to eat or a broad eagerness for something, while a craving is an intense, specific urge for a particular thing. A craving is usually stronger and more focused than an ordinary appetite.
What prepositions are used with "appetite"?
"Appetite" is commonly followed by "for," as in "an appetite for risk" or "an appetite for food." You can also "lose" or "whet" your appetite, with "whet" meaning to sharpen or increase it.
Can "appetite" refer to things other than food?
Yes. Besides the desire to eat, "appetite" can mean a strong eagerness for something in general, as in "an appetite for adventure" or "an appetite for learning." In this figurative sense it describes enthusiasm or demand.