starve
0 synonyms and 0 antonyms for starve, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To suffer or die from lack of food.
We haven't recorded synonyms for starve yet. You can still read its full definition, where it comes from, or words that rhyme with it.
How to use starve
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
"I'm starving" for mild hunger is casual, everyday exaggeration, not literal.
Etymology
From Old English steorfan, "to die," related to German sterben ("to die") — the narrower sense of dying from hunger developed later in English.
Full origin of starve →Frequently asked questions
What does “starve” mean?
The word “starve” means to suffer or die from lack of food. In plain terms, to suffer badly (or die) from lack of food, or informally, to be very hungry.
How do you pronounce “starve”?
“Starve” is pronounced stahv (/stɑɹv/ in IPA).
How do you use “starve” in a sentence?
Here is “starve” used in a sentence: “Crops failed for three straight years, and many people starved.”
What part of speech is “starve”?
“Starve” is a verb.
Where does the word “starve” come from?
The word “starve” comes from Old English. From Old English steorfan, "to die," related to German sterben ("to die") — the narrower sense of dying from hunger developed later in English.
Is “starve” a common word?
“Starve” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “starve” have?
“Starve” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to suffer or die from lack of food.