devour

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'devour' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe something that is eaten quickly or frantically. Example sentence: The hungry lion devoured the entire gazelle in a few minutes.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We spent one day submerged 42 feet on a Padi Try-Dive, spotting an octopus about to devour its paralysed prey; another, ascending the 1,716-foot 1,716-footsummitofntain, dodging lizardSage Mountaintrek through its semi-rainforest.

The Guardian - Travel

If it is good that civilisations compete to promote new syntheses, it is monstrous that they devour one another".

The Guardian - Books

One citizen quoted her Bible to the lawmakers, telling them: "Fire shall devour the houses of bribes".

The Guardian

We eat our fill of the granola and poached pears for breakfast and for dinner we heartily devour Mexican treats such as bean-filled burritos and fresh guacamole.

The Guardian - Travel

"Just as any revolution eats its children, unchecked market fundamentalism can devour the social capital essential for the long-term dynamism of capitalism itself.

The Guardian - Business

Without the ball he's like a leopard about to devour its prey.

The Guardian - Sport

Tornike Gordadze, another outgoing minister says pointedly: "the best way to accommodate the tiger is to let him devour you".

The Economist

Rabbitfish from the Red Sea devour Mediterranean algae that would otherwise feed native fish.

The Economist

The violence was simply uncontrollable.Despite the pledges of equality for all communities in the new India and Pakistan, the driving force behind the violence was to eliminate or devour the other community, writes Ms Khan.

The Economist

The pythons have even been known to devour the odd alligator.

The Economist

It shows how in the 18th century, when Anglo-French rivalry was at its height, the capacity of the Brits to devour colossal chunks of cattle, dripping with fat, was used by patriotic writers and artists to symbolise the nation's superiority to the effete French, with their less robust tastes.In 1748 William Hogarth painted "O the Roast Beef of Old England".

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "devour" to vividly describe consuming food, absorbing information, or being overwhelmed by emotions or destructive forces. It adds intensity and impact to your writing.

Common error

While "devour" is effective for emphasizing speed and intensity, it can sound melodramatic in formal or professional writing. Opt for more neutral terms like "consume", "read", or "absorb" when a less emotive tone is needed.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "devour" is as a transitive verb, indicating an action performed on a direct object. It vividly describes the act of consuming something rapidly and completely, as Ludwig examples show, whether it's food, information, or even intangible things like emotions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

7%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "devour" is a versatile verb used to describe consuming something quickly and eagerly. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used. It's particularly common in news and media, where it emphasizes the intensity of consumption or destruction. While its intensity can be effective, remember that "devour" may be less suitable for formal writing, where more neutral terms might be preferable. Consider alternatives like "consume", "absorb", or "ingest" depending on the specific context. Authoritative sources like The Economist and The Guardian frequently employ "devour", solidifying its place in contemporary English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Eat ravenously

Stresses the extreme hunger and intensity of eating.

Wolf down

Suggests eating quickly and without proper manners.

Consume rapidly

Focuses on the speed and thoroughness of consumption.

Gorge oneself on

Suggests eating to excess, often implying a sense of indulgence.

Ingest greedily

Emphasizes the eagerness and lack of restraint in eating or taking in something.

Swallow quickly

Highlights the swiftness with which something is taken in.

Absorb completely

Implies a thorough and comprehensive intake, often intellectually or emotionally.

Engulf entirely

Conveys the idea of something being completely surrounded and consumed.

Destroy utterly

Focuses on the complete destruction and annihilation of something.

Lay waste to

Emphasizes the devastating impact and widespread destruction caused.

FAQs

How can I use "devour" in a sentence?

You can use "devour" to describe eating quickly (e.g., "The children devoured their dinner"), reading eagerly (e.g., "She devoured the novel in one sitting"), or being consumed by something (e.g., "He was devoured by guilt").

What are some alternatives to "devour"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "consume", "gobble up", "absorb", "engulf", or "destroy".

Is it appropriate to use "devour" in formal writing?

While "devour" is grammatically correct, its intensity might make it less suitable for formal contexts. Consider more neutral alternatives like "consume" or "read" for a professional tone.

What's the difference between "devour" and "eat"?

"Eat" is a general term for consuming food. "Devour" implies eating quickly, eagerly, or greedily, adding a sense of intensity and speed that "eat" lacks.