a hunger for knowledge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a hunger for knowledge" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a strong desire or eagerness to learn and acquire new information. Example: "Her insatiable curiosity and a hunger for knowledge drove her to explore various fields of study throughout her life."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Not bad for someone with no formal training, only a hunger for knowledge and "exotic flavours".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Even from childhood, he had a keen sense of wonder and a hunger for knowledge, spending hours reading through encyclopedias.

The New York Times

I love the fact that the show has been embraced, and that there is a hunger for knowledge and for answers people can trust.

The Guardian - Tech

Which is how divine providence has arranged for secondhand bookstores to smell like good-quality vanilla absolute, subliminally stoking a hunger for knowledge in all of us".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

This, added to a hunger for knowledge on the part of all within the gossip circle, keeps the wheel of the secret-fueled gossip economy turning.

The New York Times - Magazine

I immediately connected with him: we come from identical working-class backgrounds and both have a hunger for knowledge and an obsession with detail.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Today Allen is the go-to expert on urban farming, and there is a hunger for his knowledge.

The New York Times - Magazine

Sensing in Chib "a hunger for something — knowledge, perhaps," Mackenzie wonders if the gangster "was beginning to realize just how narrow his world had become.

The New York Times - Books

But since Eve's disobedience also contained a hunger for forbidden knowledge, for those of us who didn't see ourselves as good girls, there was, in the story of the fall, something to be celebrated as much as condemned.

BBC

He is perfectly partnered by Flora Montgomery, who lends Hannah, a supposed rival, both a wry scepticism and a genuine hunger for knowledge that leads her to say, in the play's most resonant line, "It's wanting to know that makes us matter".

The Guardian

"I'm a voracious reader, and I have a natural hunger for knowledge," he says.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a hunger for knowledge" to convey a strong and innate desire to learn and understand, particularly when describing someone's character or motivation.

Common error

Avoid using "a hunger for knowledge" in contexts where a simple desire or interest would suffice. Overusing metaphorical language can weaken your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a hunger for knowledge" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or the subject of a sentence. It describes a strong, inherent desire or need for learning and understanding.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a hunger for knowledge" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a strong desire to learn. It's versatile enough for use in various contexts, as seen in the examples from Ludwig. While highly suitable for both formal and informal communication, avoid overuse to maintain its impact. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase effectively conveys a thirst for learning, and related alternatives like "a thirst for knowledge" can be used for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a thirst for knowledge

Uses "thirst" instead of "hunger", conveying a similar sense of intense desire.

an eagerness to learn

Focuses on the eagerness aspect of wanting knowledge.

a strong desire to learn

Emphasizes the strength of the desire for learning.

a passion for learning

Highlights the passionate aspect of seeking knowledge.

an insatiable curiosity

Shifts the focus to the underlying curiosity driving the desire for knowledge.

a love of learning

Uses "love" to express a strong positive feeling towards acquiring knowledge.

a quest for understanding

Highlights the pursuit of understanding as the goal.

an intellectual appetite

Uses "appetite" in an intellectual context to show a desire for new ideas.

a drive to learn

Focuses on the internal motivation or drive behind seeking knowledge.

a keen interest in learning

Emphasizes the strong interest in the subject of learning.

FAQs

What does it mean to have "a hunger for knowledge"?

Having "a hunger for knowledge" means possessing a strong desire and enthusiasm for learning and understanding new things. It implies an active pursuit of information and intellectual growth.

What can I say instead of "a hunger for knowledge"?

You can use alternatives like "a thirst for knowledge", "an eagerness to learn", or "a strong desire to learn" depending on the context.

How do you use "a hunger for knowledge" in a sentence?

You can say, "Her "a hunger for knowledge" drove her to excel in her studies" or "The students displayed "a hunger for knowledge" during the science experiment."

Is "a hunger for knowledge" a formal or informal expression?

"A hunger for knowledge" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It's a widely understood expression that effectively conveys a strong desire for learning.