Appetite

/ˈæpətaɪt/

nounBeginner🔥Very CommonGeneral
2 meanings1 idiom/phrase2 questions

Definitions

2 meanings
1

A feeling of hunger or a strong desire for food.

/ˈæpətaɪt/

nounneutralBeginner
General

A natural desire to satisfy a bodily need, especially for food.

My appetite increased after the long hike.

💡 Simply: Wanting to eat.

More Examples

2

She had a healthy appetite and ate a large dinner.

How It's Used

Everyday Life

"I have a huge appetite after that workout."

Medical

"Loss of appetite is a common symptom of many illnesses."

2

A keen desire or eagerness for something.

/ˈæpətaɪt/

nounpositiveIntermediate
General

A strong desire or liking for something.

The artist had a huge appetite for creating art.

💡 Simply: A strong want for something.

More Examples

2

She showed a remarkable appetite for adventure.

How It's Used

Figurative

"He has a voracious appetite for knowledge."

Tip:Imagine a hungry person—their appetite extends beyond just food.

Idioms & expressions

to whet one's appetite

To stimulate or increase one's desire or interest.

"The preview of the movie whetted my appetite for more."

From Old French appetit, from Latin appetitus, from appetere "to seek eagerly, desire", from ad- "to" + petere "to seek, strive for".

Historically, the word's usage primarily focused on the physical desire for food, with the figurative use becoming more prevalent in later centuries.

Memory tip

Think 'apple' – a tasty thing that stimulates your appetite.

Word Origin

Original meaning

"to seek eagerly, desire"

Base: appetite
healthy appetiteloss of appetitevoracious appetitewhet one's appetite

Common misspellings

apititeappetite

Usage

70%Spoken
30%Written