ravenous appetite

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ravenous appetite" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an intense or extreme hunger for food or a strong desire for something. Example: "After the long hike, I returned home with a ravenous appetite, ready to devour everything in sight."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And, he said, "obviously, I have a very ravenous appetite".

The New York Times

Italians, notwithstanding their ravenous appetite for politics, are glutted.

The Economist

Nor has he lost his ravenous appetite to acquire media businesses.

The New Yorker

China's ravenous appetite for imports is already transforming the world economy.

The New York Times

My grandfather had lost his first-born son to the ravenous appetite of that conflagration.

The Guardian

The ravenous appetite for fossil fuels traces partly to an economic stimulus program in 1997.

The New York Times

ESPN discovered the ravenous appetite for sports beyond weekend afternoon viewing.

The New York Times - Sports

Members of this mob should also have a ravenous appetite for sexual secrets.

The Guardian - Opinion

He had a ravenous appetite for music in all forms, at all times of the day or night.

The New Yorker

The one-person play merely represents the high end of what has become a ravenous appetite for the low down.

The New York Times

A vigorous ride builds up a ravenous appetite, and many rides are routed around essential food stops.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ravenous appetite", consider the context to ensure it aligns with the tone. While versatile, it's most impactful when describing significant desires or needs.

Common error

Avoid using "ravenous appetite" in overly formal or technical writing where a more precise term might be better suited. While expressive, it can sometimes sound too informal for certain audiences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ravenous appetite" primarily functions as a descriptive phrase, modifying a noun. According to Ludwig AI, it is used to intensify the meaning of "appetite", indicating an extreme or insatiable hunger or desire. Examples in Ludwig showcase its use in various contexts, from literal hunger to metaphorical cravings.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Academia

12%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ravenous appetite" is a commonly used and grammatically sound phrase that describes an intense hunger or desire. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's versatile, appearing in various contexts from literal hunger to metaphorical cravings for knowledge or success. While generally neutral in tone, it's best to consider your audience and context, opting for a more formal alternative like "insatiable hunger" if needed. The phrase's strength lies in its ability to convey a sense of urgency and intensity, making it a powerful choice when you need to emphasize the strength of a desire.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

insatiable hunger

Replaces "ravenous appetite" with a slightly more formal expression focusing on the inability to satisfy the desire.

voracious craving

Substitutes both words to highlight an intense and all-consuming desire.

unquenchable thirst

Metaphorically shifts from hunger to thirst to represent an insatiable desire.

extreme hunger

Simplifies the phrase by using a more direct adjective to describe the level of hunger.

intense desire

Replaces the food-related metaphor with a general expression of strong wanting.

unappeasable longing

Emphasizes the yearning aspect of the desire, making it sound more emotional.

insatiable demand

Focuses on the need for something, often used in economic or resource contexts.

great hunger

A more literal and simple alternative, losing some of the intensity of the original phrase.

boundless craving

Highlights the limitlessness of the desire or need.

uncontrollable urge

Indicates a powerful impulse that is difficult to resist.

FAQs

How can I use "ravenous appetite" in a sentence?

You can use "ravenous appetite" to describe an intense hunger or a strong desire for something. For example, "After the marathon, I had a ravenous appetite" or "She has a ravenous appetite for knowledge".

What are some synonyms for "ravenous appetite"?

Alternatives to "ravenous appetite" include "insatiable hunger", "voracious craving", or "unquenchable thirst" depending on the specific context.

Is "ravenous appetite" too informal for academic writing?

While "ravenous appetite" is acceptable, it might be more appropriate to use a more formal synonym like "insatiable hunger" or "intense desire" in academic writing, depending on the specific field and tone.

Can "ravenous appetite" be used metaphorically?

Yes, "ravenous appetite" is often used metaphorically to describe a strong desire for things other than food, such as knowledge, power, or success. For instance, you might say someone has a "ravenous appetite for success".