a specific hunger

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a specific hunger" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a particular type of hunger or craving, often in a metaphorical sense. Example: "After a long day at work, I felt a specific hunger for something sweet and comforting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

I think that novels tend to fail not when the characters are not vivid or "deep" enough, but when the novel in question has failed to teach us how to adapt to its conventions, has failed to manage a specific hunger for its own characters, its own reality level.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

A related phenomenon, specific appetite, also known as specific hunger, is conceptually related to, but distinct from, hedonic hunger.

Wikipedia

Little is known thus far of the specific hunger mechanisms that ensure increased uptake, but good evidence exists that a nutrient deficiency causes a specific rise in responsiveness to food containing the substance needed.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The interactive also provides country specific "hunger statistics" for each of these periods.

The Guardian

This is probably what Paltrow means when she writes in her book: "Sometimes when my family is not eating pasta, bread or processed grains … we're left with that specific hunger that comes with avoiding carbs".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Basically, this is not much different, however, from what happens when an animal returns from a specific motivational state (hunger, thirst or sexual arousal) to a state of satiety and homeostatic balance, after performing the appropriate behavioral sequence [ 30, 31, 38].

Fluids and Barriers of the CNS

In the process, a whole dome of meanings, a specific emotional world — hunger, desire, disgust, rottenness — rises around us.

The New Yorker

The 2000 gathering was different, though, because signatories agreed to specific goals on a specific timeline: cutting hunger and poverty in half, giving all girls and boys a basic education, reducing infant and maternal mortality by two-thirds and three-quarters respectively, and reversing the spread of AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.

The New York Times

The class may wish to focus on global hunger (perhaps centering on a specific crisis like the one in the Horn of Africa) or on hunger around the United States or even in their own communities.

The New York Times

Physical hunger is not specific to a type of food, while emotional hunger may manifest as an intense craving for a specific food or food type.

WikiHow

A repeated higher satiety response to a specific food compared to an appropriate control food may be valuable to consumers who want to avoid hunger.

Appetite

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a specific hunger", consider whether "craving" or "longing" might be more appropriate depending on the emotional intensity you want to convey. Use "a specific hunger" when you wish to emphasize a need that goes beyond simple desire.

Common error

Avoid using "a specific hunger" in contexts where literal hunger would be more appropriate. The phrase works best when discussing abstract desires, emotional needs, or intellectual yearnings, not when describing the need for food.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a specific hunger" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI indicates that it's a correct phrase. Examples show it describing a focused need or desire, more than just general hunger.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

22%

Wiki

16%

Science

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a specific hunger" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express a focused or intense desire, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Although not exceedingly common, it finds appropriate usage across diverse contexts, particularly in media and analytical writing. Alternatives such as "a particular craving" or "a distinct appetite" may provide suitable substitutions depending on the intended nuance. When using the phrase, ensure it aligns with the metaphorical intent, describing abstract desires rather than literal hunger. While versatile, remember that simpler terms might better fit casual conversations, emphasizing the importance of context in phrase selection.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a particular craving

Focuses on the desire as a craving, emphasizing the intensity and targeted nature of the need.

a distinct appetite

Emphasizes the unique and recognizable nature of the desire, framing it as an appetite that stands out.

a focused desire

Highlights the concentrated nature of the desire, suggesting it is directed towards a specific object or goal.

a targeted need

Conveys that the need is aimed at fulfilling something very specific, like a requirement.

a precise longing

Suggests a clear and exact yearning, emphasizing the clarity of what is desired.

a definite yearning

Focuses on yearning aspect of the hunger.

a specialized craving

Highlights the specialized and perhaps unusual nature of the craving.

an intense craving

Focuses on the craving with a more intense desire.

an acute desire

Highlights that desire is critical.

a consuming passion

Transforms the 'hunger' into a passion that dominates one's thoughts and actions.

FAQs

How can I use "a specific hunger" in a sentence?

You can use "a specific hunger" to describe a focused desire or craving for something, often in a metaphorical sense. For example: "The artist had "a specific hunger" for recognition, driving her to create groundbreaking work."

What can I say instead of "a specific hunger"?

You can use alternatives like "a particular craving", "a distinct appetite", or "a focused desire" depending on the context.

Is "a specific hunger" formal or informal?

"A specific hunger" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it is more commonly found in writing that aims for a slightly elevated or literary tone. In everyday conversation, simpler terms might be preferred.

What's the difference between "a general hunger" and "a specific hunger"?

"A general hunger" refers to a broad desire or need, while ""a specific hunger"" indicates a craving or longing directed at a particular thing or outcome. For example, one might have a general hunger for knowledge, but "a specific hunger" for understanding quantum physics.