appetite

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'appetite' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to indicate a strong desire for something, such as food or knowledge. For example: "She had an insatiable appetite for knowledge, and so she read every book she could get her hands on."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There may be little appetite for further bloodshed from the Real IRA, and US president George Bush's new ultimatums on world terrorism may see further decline in support for Irish nationalists from the US.

The Guardian

A Labour source said that, given teenagers have a "tremendous vested interest in whether or not we stay in the EU or leave", there could be a strong appetite for amending the EU referendum bill in the Lords, even if Labour and the SNP fail to recruit the relatively small number of Tory rebels they would need to defeat the government in the Commons.

The Guardian

Pride strikes a populist balance, but there's clearly an appetite for that serious, difficult, unsexy social realism too.

The Guardian - Film

Demographic changes mean India's appetite for higher education is expanding quickly and providing a source of international postgrad students that the US is exploiting.

The Guardian

Exercise also helps you sleep better, and helps regulate your appetite, two functions that are very much affected by high levels of stress.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Work up an appetite at the morning and evening yoga classes before tucking into delicious local, organic, vegetarian food.

The Guardian - Travel

Contributing to the problem is a fierce appetite for loud music, without an understanding of what this means for hearing in later life.

The Guardian

TSB bank, property website Zoopla and the budget hotel chain easyHotel are all set to join the market in the coming weeks, despite waning appetite from investors bombarded by new offers.

The Guardian - Business

All3Media commercial director and former Channel 4 senior digital executive, Andy Taylor, said the app is being viewed as an experiment to test pricing, appetite and extend the reach of its programmes.

The Guardian

Maybe she is just looking to get rid of her morality like she says Hannibal has, sinking into his world of purely aesthetic concerns and appetite for the flesh that seemed so alluring to her.

The Guardian

Yet an early coterie of corporate leaders is showing an appetite to follow their lead.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "appetite" metaphorically, ensure the context clearly indicates the type of desire you're describing (e.g., "an appetite for adventure", "an appetite for learning").

Common error

While "appetite" is versatile, avoid overusing it in formal writing where more precise terms like "desire", "enthusiasm", or "inclination" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The noun "appetite" functions primarily to denote a desire or relish for food and drink, or any strong desire or eagerness. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is a grammatically correct and widely used term.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Lifestyle

25%

Business

20%

Less common in

Travel

5%

Sport

5%

Film

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "appetite" is a versatile noun used to express a desire for food, drink, or anything else, whether tangible or abstract. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage. As demonstrated by the numerous examples in Ludwig, "appetite" appears frequently in news and media, lifestyle, and business contexts, indicating its adaptability across various domains. While synonyms like "hunger", "desire", and "craving" exist, "appetite" holds its unique place by often implying a more sustained or habitual inclination. When writing, it's wise to consider the specific nuance you wish to convey, ensuring the context aligns with the intended meaning of "appetite".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hunger

This term is a direct synonym, primarily referring to the physical need for food but can also extend to strong desires.

craving

Implies a strong desire or need for something, often something specific or unusual.

desire

A general term for wanting something, less intense than "appetite" in some contexts but broadly applicable.

longing

Suggests a persistent and often wistful desire.

yearning

A deep and intense desire, often for something unattainable.

inclination

Refers to a tendency or preference, a weaker form of "appetite" indicating a leaning towards something.

enthusiasm

Implies a strong positive feeling or excitement about something.

eagerness

Shows an enthusiastic readiness or willingness.

penchant

A habitual liking for something.

passion

A very strong feeling about something.

FAQs

How can I use "appetite" in a sentence?

You can use "appetite" to describe a desire for food, as in "He had a hearty appetite", or metaphorically, such as "She has an appetite for knowledge".

What can I say instead of "appetite"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "hunger", "craving", "desire", or "enthusiasm".

Is it correct to say "an appetite for destruction"?

Yes, this is a common metaphorical usage of "appetite" to describe a strong desire or inclination towards destructive behavior.

What's the difference between "appetite" and "hunger"?

"Appetite" can refer to a general desire for food or other things, while "hunger" primarily refers to the physical need for food.