famished

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'famished' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express a feeling of extreme hunger or starvation. Example sentence: After a long hike, I was famished and ready for a big meal.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Masai herders, surrounded by carcasses, haul famished cows to their feet, goading them to live until the first shoots of the new grass begin to show next week.

The Economist

In recent years it has struggled to deter famished North Koreans from venturing across the border.

The Economist

This is the so-called hunger belt, where famished villagers survive by eating grass.

The Economist

Lorries arrive from Ethiopia's south and west, which have food surpluses, and leave for the north and east of the country, which is often famished.

The Economist

Arriving, worn and famished, to the friendship and relative plenty of Louvain in 1946, he was so overjoyed that he wanted to sing the Te Deum.

The Economist

These massive, toothless, famished monsters lurch tragically about the space on limbs too weak to support their giant forms for long.

The Economist

This means that the share of calories that comes from staples falls progressively once a person is no longer famished; and that an unusually high share of calories coming from staples indicates that a person is hungry.How high is unusually high?

The Economist

Moreover, Mr Zenawi's supporters argue that his authoritarian methods, however ruthlessly on display in the capital, have helped to complete roads, clinics and agricultural extension projects in the famished countryside, where most Ethiopians live.

The Economist

Can't call can call, a famished moan maybe yet it suffices...can't cry can cry, can cry, can cry wet pillows full but who cares…can't laugh can laugh, can can canAt birth, at the County Hospital at Mullingar in Ireland, he had been deprived of oxygen for two hours.

The Economist

The aim was to provide cheap nourishment for a famished nation.Under the IWC proposal, Japan would halve the number of whales it kills off Antarctica, and face further cuts over the five years thereafter.

The Economist

Since their boots shrank when they dried, troopers had to keep them on at night.Their mounts were often famished, tired and weighed down by equipment, whereas the ponies of Sitting Bull's warriors were well-watered, fresh and, in many cases, barebacked.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "famished" to vividly describe a state of extreme hunger, especially after a period of deprivation or exertion. It adds a more dramatic effect than simply saying "hungry".

Common error

Avoid using "famished" when you only feel a slight hunger. Overusing it diminishes its impact, reserving it for instances of true extreme hunger maintains its descriptive power.

Linguistic Context

Famished functions primarily as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe a state of extreme hunger or starvation. Ludwig examples show it depicting the condition of animals, people in dire situations, or after periods of deprivation. The Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "famished" is a grammatically sound adjective used to express extreme hunger, as validated by Ludwig AI. Its frequency is very common, predominantly appearing in News & Media. Usage tips include employing "famished" to vividly depict acute hunger following deprivation or exertion, while avoiding its misuse for mere mild hunger. Related terms such as ""starving"" or ""ravenous"" can serve as alternatives, though they might carry slightly different connotations. Ludwig's examples underscore its effectiveness in conveying intense states of hunger across diverse contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extremely hungry

Emphasizes the intensity of hunger using an adverb.

starving

A common synonym for "famished", indicating a severe lack of food.

very hungry

More direct way to express hunger.

ravenous

Implies a wild or predatory hunger, often more intense than "famished".

dying of hunger

A hyperbolic expression indicating extreme need for food.

hungry as a wolf

An idiomatic expression for extreme hunger.

in dire need of food

Focuses on the necessity of eating, emphasizing the lack of sustenance.

empty stomach

Describes the physical sensation of hunger, rather than the feeling.

with an appetite

More commonly used to express desire.

peckish

Indicates a slight degree of hunger, a less intense alternative.

FAQs

How can I use "famished" in a sentence?

You can use "famished" to describe a state of extreme hunger, such as: "After hiking all day, we were "famished" and ate everything in sight".

What's a good alternative to saying "I'm famished"?

Alternatives include saying "I'm "starving"", "I'm "ravenous"", or "I'm "extremely hungry"".

Is it correct to say "I'm famished"?

Yes, it is correct. "Famished" is an adjective that means extremely hungry. It is a valid and descriptive word to use when you want to express intense hunger.

What is the difference between "hungry" and "famished"?

"Hungry" is a general term for feeling a need to eat, while "famished" implies a more extreme and intense level of hunger. "Famished" suggests you have gone a significant time without food.