appetite
noun (countable)
UK/ˈæp.ə.taɪt/US/ˈæp.əˌtaɪt/
A desire or liking for something.
Example Sentences
He has a strong appetite for adventure and loves exploring new places.
Her appetite for knowledge drives her to read extensively on various subjects.
The company's appetite for innovation has led to several groundbreaking products.
Despite his busy schedule, he maintains an appetite for learning new skills.
Their appetite for success motivates the team to work diligently towards their goals.
She developed an appetite for fine wines after traveling through Europe.
The artist's appetite for creativity is evident in her diverse range of works.
An appetite for change can lead to personal growth and new opportunities.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
Antonyms
How to Use
A craving or longing for food, experience, or knowledge.“Appetite” most commonly denotes the urge or desire to eat, linking closely to hunger. If you say, “I have a big appetite,” it implies you’re eager to consume larger portions of food. However, it also functions figuratively: you might have an “appetite for adventure” or an “appetite for learning,” highlighting a keen interest or drive in those areas. The word signals that something is both needed and craved.Physiologically, appetite is influenced by hormones and neural pathways regulating hunger and satiety. Stress, illness, or emotional states can either dampen or heighten one’s appetite. In formal or medical contexts, doctors sometimes assess whether a patient’s appetite is normal, diminished, or excessive, as these clues might reflect broader health patterns.Casually, talking about appetite usually means you’re referencing your immediate desire for food—like skipping breakfast might give you a “hefty appetite” by lunchtime. In a broader sense, “appetite” underscores a person’s enthusiasm for almost anything: from knowledge and culture to risk-taking. For instance, a “risk appetite” is how much uncertainty someone tolerates in finance or business decisions.Whether discussing literal hunger or figurative longing, “appetite” pinpoints that distinct pull toward something we find satisfying or necessary. Recognizing your own appetite—and what it’s directed toward—can guide health, habits, and personal growth, prompting you to fulfill needs both physical and mental.
Alternatives
If “appetite” doesn’t quite fit, synonyms depend on context. For food-related contexts, “hunger” is a direct synonym, though it can evoke a stronger or more urgent need. “Craving” emphasizes an intense desire, often for a particular item or flavor. “Taste for” hints at a personal inclination—“I have a taste for desserts.” Outside food, words like “enthusiasm,” “yearning,” “eagerness,” or “longing” convey passion or desire toward intangible goals, like knowledge or experience. “Ambition” or “drive” might suit professional or self-improvement contexts—“He has a strong drive for success.” Each replacement sharpens which aspect of desire you wish to highlight, whether physical, emotional, or goal-oriented.
Writing
In formal or academic texts, “appetite” can appear in discussions about physiology, psychology, or market behavior—like “consumer appetite for new technology.” Specify whether you mean literal hunger (as in a medical study of appetite changes) or figurative (as in investors’ appetite for high-risk stocks). This clarity ensures your audience knows which angle you’re exploring.In creative writing, you might depict how a character’s “voracious appetite” signals gluttony or a hidden emotional void. Alternatively, you could use “appetite” metaphorically to describe curiosity—“Her appetite for travel led her across continents,” giving a sense of unstoppable wanderlust. This usage animates the story, suggesting that appetite isn’t just about food but can represent a deep-seated force motivating someone’s actions.If you’re crafting persuasive content—like health articles or business proposals—pair “appetite” with data or anecdotes: “Studies indicate that stress can dampen one’s appetite,” or “The younger demographic has shown an increased appetite for eco-friendly products.” Including specifics contextualizes the notion of appetite, revealing how it shifts according to circumstances and drives certain behaviors.
Casual Conversation
In everyday conversation, you might say, “I don’t have much of an appetite right now,” to imply you aren’t hungry or you feel unsettled. Friends may mention having a “huge appetite” after a workout, or joke about an “unhealthy appetite for sweets.” Beyond food, someone might mention having an “appetite for adventure,” showcasing excitement for spontaneous trips or daring activities.You can also hear talk of maintaining a balanced appetite: if you overindulge in snacks, you might say, “I ruined my appetite for dinner,” meaning you ate so much beforehand that you no longer want a proper meal. Meanwhile, acknowledging a figurative appetite—like a “massive appetite for Netflix shows”—often sparks shared enthusiasms or influences how you spend your free time. These casual uses reflect how appetite extends beyond the literal, reminding us that desire can be playful, indulgent, or purely physiological.
Etymology
The term “appetite” stems from the Latin “appetitus,” meaning “a longing or desire,” from “appetere,” which combines “ad-” (toward) and “petere” (to seek). Historically, “appetitus” signified all sorts of impulses or cravings, not just hunger for food. Over centuries, English adopted the word as “appetite,” generally focusing on the inclination to eat.However, the broader connotation of seeking or craving remains—hence phrases like “an appetite for destruction” or “an appetite for reading.” Philosophers and physicians since antiquity have linked “appetite” to both bodily and mental urges. The ancients observed how appetite underpins survival and shapes behavior, forming a foundation for modern ideas about motivation and desire. From Latin roots to everyday English, “appetite” remains essential in describing that pull we feel, whether for nourishment or for life’s countless fascinations.
