starving

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "starving" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state of extreme hunger or to express a strong desire for something, often in a figurative sense. Example: "After skipping breakfast and lunch, I was absolutely starving by dinner time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Starving, disabled children are the ultimate symbol of a cuts agenda that has no limits or conscience.

The Guardian

Jimmy Thoronka has been inundated with offers of help from Guardian readers and requests for media interviews since the first report four days ago that the athlete had been found starving and homeless in London after coming to Britain for last summer's Commonwealth Games.

The Guardian

Despite the complaints, it stayed put, and SRDF's campaign to assist those currently starving in the Horn of Africa continues, both off and online.

The Guardian

There were other neighbourhoods where people were starving, but the FSA did not help them because they supported the government.

The Guardian

Essentially, central government has been slowly trying to kill this programme by starving it of essential funds.

The Guardian

For a year, he worked tirelessly to stop the Germans starving to death.

The Guardian

"I am accepting this award on behalf of the 1.6 million runaways and homeless youth in the United States who are starving, lost and scared for their lives right now.

The Guardian - Music

They usually wait patiently for me to finish my spiel about why they and their colleagues should sweat their way through a Saturday morning to save some starving children in Africa.

The Guardian

Having reduced the Japanese nation to submission, the occupying Allied powers turned decommissioned Japanese vessels into whaling ships, and – with western observers aboard – were sent out to kill whales and use their meat to feed a starving nation.

The Guardian

While never actually starving, he spent at least two decades of his working life harried by a lack of cash.

The Guardian - Arts

He's just one lawyer in one post-industrial town, describing a national policy: of starving the poor into committing crime.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a situation where people lack basic necessities, use "starving" to convey the severity and urgency of their condition. This word choice is especially impactful in contexts related to famine, poverty, or social inequality.

Common error

Avoid using "starving" hyperbolically for mild hunger; instead, opt for words like "hungry" or "peckish" to accurately reflect the level of need. Save the word "starving" for situations of genuine and severe food deprivation.

Linguistic Context

The word "starving" primarily functions as a present participle of the verb "starve", often used to describe someone experiencing extreme hunger. Ludwig AI indicates that its use is grammatically correct and appropriate in various contexts. Examples include describing people who are "starving" due to poverty or famine.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "starving" is a grammatically correct and frequently used term to describe a state of extreme hunger or deprivation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage spans both literal and metaphorical contexts, commonly found in News & Media, Formal & Business and Scientific sources. While alternatives like "famished" or "ravenous" exist, "starving" carries a strong emotional weight, often employed when discussing serious issues like poverty and famine. It's important to avoid overuse in non-literal situations to maintain its impact. Remember to consider the context and desired level of intensity when choosing the most appropriate word.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

famished

Implies extreme hunger, often more intense than simply hungry.

ravenous

Suggests a voracious appetite or an insatiable hunger.

extremely hungry

A more descriptive and literal way to express intense hunger.

dying of hunger

Emphasizes the severe and potentially life-threatening nature of hunger.

very hungry

A general expression of hunger, less intense than "starving".

deprived of food

Focuses on the lack of access to nourishment.

underfed

Indicates a chronic lack of sufficient food intake.

peckish

Describes a slight feeling of hunger, often used informally.

malnourished

Highlights the health consequences of prolonged inadequate nutrition.

food-insecure

Describes a situation where access to adequate food is uncertain or limited.

FAQs

How to use "starving" in a sentence?

You can use "starving" to describe a state of extreme hunger, as in "After the marathon, I was "absolutely starving"". It can also be used metaphorically, such as "She was "starving for attention"".

What can I say instead of "starving"?

Alternatives include "famished", "ravenous", or "extremely hungry", depending on the context and desired level of intensity.

Is it correct to use "starving" to describe a non-human entity?

Yes, "starving" can be used to describe animals or even metaphorical entities like a business "starving a business of funds". Its usage depends on the intended meaning of extreme deprivation.

What's the difference between "starving" and "hungry"?

"Starving" indicates a much more severe level of hunger than "hungry". "Hungry" is a general term, while "starving" implies a critical need for food due to prolonged deprivation. For example, you might be "hungry" before lunch, but you'd only be "starving" after days without food.