appetite

noun

ap·​pe·​tite ˈa-pə-ˌtīt 

1

: any of the instinctive desires necessary to keep up organic life

especially : the desire to eat

He has a hearty appetite.

2

a

: an inherent craving

an insatiable appetite for work

b

: taste, preference

… the cultural appetites of the time …

—J. D. Hart

appetitive

ˈa-pə-ˌtī-tiv 

adjective

Synonyms

• belly
• emptiness
• famishment
• hunger
• munchies
• stomach

Examples of appetite in a Sentence

He has a healthy appetite.

Some common symptoms are tiredness, nausea, and loss of appetite.

I had no appetite and couldn't sleep.

Recent Examples on the Web

And these feasts for the eyes, while stunningly beautiful, will give you an appetite for their destruction. —Amy Drew Thompson, Orlando Sentinel, 19 June 2024

Take Tolkien’s recipe and substitute the rangers’ honor code with human appetite, add a sprinkling of gore, introduce some misery and give it all teeth. —Marianne Gordon, Peoplemag, 19 June 2024

Like all drugmakers, Novo will be keen to make the most of its period of drug exclusivity before competitors can make their own versions of the appetite suppressant. —Byryan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 17 June 2024

However, bronchiolitis is usually seen in the fall and winter and may be accompanied by a slight fever and loss of appetite. —Evan Forster, Parents, 17 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English apetit, from Anglo-French, from Latin appetitus, from appetere to strive after, from ad- + petere to go to — more at feather

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing appetite

• hearty appetite
• lose one's appetite
• ravenous appetite
• whet one's appetite

Kids Definition

appetite

noun

ap·​pe·​tite ˈap-ə-ˌtīt 

1

: a natural desire especially for food

2

: taste entry 2 sense 4

an appetite for adventure

Medical Definition

appetite

noun

ap·​pe·​tite ˈap-ə-ˌtīt 

: any of the instinctive desires necessary to keep up organic life

especially : the desire to eat

appetitive

-ˌtīt-iv 

adjective