crave

verb

ˈkrāv 

craved; craving

transitive verb

1

: to ask for earnestly : beg, demand

crave a pardon for neglect

2

a

: to want greatly : need

craves drugs

craves attention

b

: to yearn for

crave a vanished youth

intransitive verb

: to have a strong or inward desire

craves after affection

craver noun

Synonyms

• ache (for)
• covet
• desiderate
• desire
• die (for)
• hanker (for or after)
• hunger (for)
• itch (for)
• jones (for) [slang]
• long (for)
• lust (for or after)
• pant (after)
• pine (for)
• repine (for)
• salivate (for)
• sigh (for)
• thirst (for)
• want
• wish (for)
• yearn (for)
• yen (for)

Choose the Right Synonym for crave

desire, wish, want, crave, covet mean to have a longing for.

desire stresses the strength of feeling and often implies strong intention or aim.

desires to start a new life

wish sometimes implies a general or transient longing especially for the unattainable.

wishes for permanent world peace

want specifically suggests a felt need or lack.

wants to have a family

crave stresses the force of physical appetite or emotional need.

craves sweets

covet implies strong envious desire.

covets his rise to fame

Examples of crave in a Sentence

Like many celebrities, he craves attention.

I was craving french fries, so I pulled into the nearest fast-food restaurant.

Recent Examples on the Web

Domino's Some will be craving a pizza on New Year's Day, and Domino's is open for delivery to meet that demand. —Suzanne Blake, Newsweek, 1 Jan. 2025

Americans crave the prospect of healing, renewing, fulfilling the best in our national ideals. —James Fallows, CBS News, 29 Dec. 2024

In a world that is becoming increasingly more millennial gray and sad beige, Mejia points out how people seem to crave homes that are more individualized since there’s so much homogeneity in buildings due to labor and construction costs, and a lack of skilled craftsmen. —Sandy Sanchez, Architectural Digest, 23 Dec. 2024

There is no doubt in my mind that Kim Kardashian’s chaotic visuals and raw lofi aesthetics resonate with an audience craving authenticity over perfection. —Jeetendr Sehdev, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English crafian; akin to Old Norse krefja to crave, demand

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Kids Definition

crave

verb

ˈkrāv 

craved; craving

1

: to ask earnestly : beg

crave a person's pardon

2

: to have a strong desire for

crave a glass of water

crave affection