crave
4 synonyms and 1 antonym for crave, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To have an intense desire for something, especially food, comfort, or attention.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Antonyms
How to use crave
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
crave attention
crave sugar
crave affection
Etymology
From Old English crafian, "to demand or beg" — the sense softened over time from a formal demand to a strong personal desire.
Full origin of crave →Frequently asked questions
What does “crave” mean?
The word “crave” means to have an intense desire for something, especially food, comfort, or attention. In plain terms, to want something very badly, often food or attention.
How do you pronounce “crave”?
“Crave” is pronounced krayv (/kɹeɪv/ in IPA).
How do you use “crave” in a sentence?
Here is “crave” used in a sentence: “She craved chocolate every afternoon during her pregnancy.”
What part of speech is “crave”?
“Crave” is a verb.
Where does the word “crave” come from?
The word “crave” comes from Old English. From Old English crafian, "to demand or beg" — the sense softened over time from a formal demand to a strong personal desire.
Is “crave” a common word?
“Crave” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “crave” have?
“Crave” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to have an intense desire for something, especially food, comfort, or attention.
