as hungry as a wolf

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as hungry as a wolf" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is extremely hungry, often in a figurative sense. Example: "After the long hike, I was as hungry as a wolf and couldn't wait to eat a big meal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Cliché is not spurned — time is falling through Knausgaard's hands "like sand"; elsewhere in the book, the author tells us that falling in love was like being struck by lightning, that he was head over heels in love, that he was as hungry as a wolf.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"He is as hungry as ever for success and a very driven man.

BBC

By then we were about as hungry as it is possible to be inside a restaurant.

The New York Times - Food

He's as hungry as he's ever been, but he's a gentleman as well".

BBC

I'm as hungry as you are.

The New Yorker

As hungry as the sky above him.

The Guardian

Convoluted verbiage such as "In addition, an equally hitherto unsuspected vulnerability surfaced" is a faithful rendition of the original, as are many of the hackneyed phrases (hungry as a wolf, two sides of the same coin, like sand through my fingers, and so on).

The Guardian - Books

"Sly as a fox," "gentle as a lamb," "hungry like a wolf," the exhibition points out, are phrases showing how often we "interpret animal behavior in human terms" and "draw moral conclusions".

The New York Times - Arts

Cynognathus was approximately as large as a modern wolf and, like the wolf, was an active predator.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Steve Dolinsky remains as hungry a hound as ever.

Los Angeles Times

Steve Dolinsky remains as hungry a hound as ever.  .  .

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as hungry as a wolf" to vividly describe a strong appetite or intense hunger, especially when aiming for a slightly informal or descriptive tone. The simile is most effective when the context supports the image of a wolf's voracious appetite.

Common error

Avoid using "as hungry as a wolf" in highly formal or professional contexts where a more neutral or precise description of hunger is preferred. Opt for alternatives like "very hungry" or "ravenous" in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as hungry as a wolf" functions as a simile, an expression that compares one thing to another using 'as' or 'like'. Here, it serves as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate a high degree of hunger, much like demonstrated in Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

10%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as hungry as a wolf" is a simile used to express extreme hunger. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides various examples of its use in contexts ranging from news to encyclopedias. While not suitable for highly formal writing, it serves as a vivid and descriptive way to convey intense hunger, drawing upon the imagery of a wolf's renowned appetite. Alternatives include phrases like "extremely hungry" or "ravenous".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as hungry as a bear

Uses a different animal for comparison, conveying a similar sense of intense hunger.

ravenous

Implies a wild or predatory hunger, similar in intensity but different in imagery.

famished

Indicates severe hunger, often after a period of deprivation, slightly more formal.

extremely hungry

Directly states the condition of being very hungry, lacking the figurative element.

starving

Suggests a desperate level of hunger, potentially life-threatening if prolonged.

very hungry indeed

Adds emphasis to the feeling of hunger, maintaining a simple and direct tone.

dying of hunger

Emphasizes the severity of hunger, perhaps to an exaggerated degree.

having a large appetite

Focuses on the capacity to eat a lot, rather than the immediate feeling of hunger.

with a hearty appetite

Highlights an enjoyment of food and a strong desire to eat, changing the nuance.

peckish

Describes a slight hunger, the opposite of the original phrase.

FAQs

What does it mean to be "as hungry as a wolf"?

The phrase "as hungry as a wolf" is an idiom used to describe someone who is extremely hungry. It's a simile, comparing a person's hunger to the perceived voracious appetite of a wolf.

Is it appropriate to use "as hungry as a wolf" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "as hungry as a wolf" is generally considered informal. In formal writing, it's better to use alternatives like "extremely hungry" or "ravenous".

What are some similar phrases to "as hungry as a wolf"?

Alternatives to "as hungry as a wolf" include "famished", "starving", or the similar simile "as hungry as a bear".

How can I use "as hungry as a wolf" in a sentence?

You can use "as hungry as a wolf" to emphasize a strong feeling of hunger. For example, "After hiking all day, I was as hungry as a wolf and devoured the entire pizza."