crave
Crave (verb) means to have an intense desire for something, especially food, comfort, or attention. Example: “She craved chocolate every afternoon during her pregnancy.”
How to use crave
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo want something very badly, often food or attention.
Word forms
craved past tense, craves plural, craves singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She _____ chocolate every afternoon during her pregnancy.
Etymology
From Old English crafian, "to demand or beg" — the sense softened over time from a formal demand to a strong personal desire.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for crave
See all rhymes for 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.