voracious

USAGE SUMMARY

'voracious' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that is eager or enthusiastic and absorbs or consumes large amounts of something, such as knowledge, food, or activity. Example: He read with voracious appetite, devouring volumes of books in a single day.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Even at 18, a mentally voracious young woman cannot live entirely upon scenery," she wrote, adding that she would have been in danger of "dying of spontaneous combustion" had she not had her diary to write and an interesting curate in a nearby village.

The Guardian - Film

Doherty-Bone, who has fed them banana pieces, said the frogs "really can be voracious".

The Guardian

Growing up on the farm, surrounded by animals and cared for by those he still refers to lovingly as "Mother and Father", he became a voracious reader, excelled in school, travelled to Buenos Aires to study music and finally returned to Olavarría to become a successful music teacher and professional musician with his own band, the Ignacio Hurban Grupo.

The Guardian

New Zealand hoki carries the coveted logo of sustainability - but has to be flown unsustainably halfway round the world to satisfy the voracious needs of British canneries and supermarket shelves.

The Guardian

What if, just as in an Occupy camp, where they try to "live despite capitalism", you could live "despite" the property forms and voracious market economics of a computer game?

The Guardian - Opinion

Victoria Beckham's customers have a voracious appetite for dresses that allow them to feel they are buying a piece of her lifestyle.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Others say he is "utterly ruthless", has a "voracious" thirst for knowledge, but also an appetite for fixing the facts; that he always has an open mind, and yet also that he is an unbending ideologue.

The Guardian

Although Brown's wife Sarah is a voracious charity worker, as well as a plugger for charities on her Twitter feed, the prime minister himself has not been known to undertake community work.

The Guardian

Related: Agroforestry in India: new national policy sets the bar high The rapidly expanding shrimp-aquaculture industry, fueled by voracious consumer demand in the US, Japan, and Europe, poses one of the gravest threats to remaining mangrove forests and the wildlife and communities they support.

The Guardian

A sharp slowdown in China, which is growing at an annual rate of about 10 percent, would be a serious blow to the global economy since China's voracious demand for natural resources is helping to prop up growth in Asia and South America, even as the United States and the European Union struggle.

The New York Times

"Roistering, swaggering, thoughtless, voracious.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "voracious" with nouns that represent abstract concepts, such as "curiosity", "appetite for knowledge", or "thirst for learning", to showcase a deep and unwavering passion.

Common error

Ensure you spell "voracious" correctly. A common misspelling is "vorascious", which is non-existent. Always double-check your spelling to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "voracious" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe a strong desire or eagerness, especially related to consuming large quantities of something. As Ludwig AI confirmed, the word is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Formal & Business

22%

Science

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "voracious" effectively describes an insatiable appetite or desire, applicable to both literal consumption (food) and metaphorical consumption (knowledge, experiences). As Ludwig AI indicates, it's a grammatically sound and widely used term. Its frequency and presence in reputable sources like The Economist and The Guardian suggest its reliability. When using "voracious", it's crucial to ensure correct spelling and be mindful of its potential implication of greed or excess. Alternative phrases such as "ravenous" or "insatiable" can be used to fine-tune the specific nuance. Overall, "voracious" is a valuable word for vividly conveying intense eagerness or desire.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

insatiable

Emphasizes the impossibility of satisfying a desire or appetite, highlighting a continuous and unappeasable craving.

ravenous

Strongly implies extreme hunger or greed, often in a literal sense of consuming food but can also be used metaphorically.

avid

Suggests a keen interest or enthusiasm for something, often involving a dedication to pursuing it.

greedy

Focuses on the selfish desire for more than one's fair share, often implying a negative connotation.

gluttonous

Specifically refers to excessive eating or drinking, emphasizing overindulgence.

unquenchable

Highlights the inability to satisfy a thirst, desire, or need, often used metaphorically to describe an ongoing pursuit.

prodigious

Implies something extraordinary in size, amount, or degree, often related to appetite or consumption.

devouring

Emphasizes the act of consuming something quickly and completely, whether it be food, information, or experiences.

compulsive

Suggests an irresistible urge or behavior, often driven by anxiety or obsession.

eager

Describes a strong desire or enthusiasm to do or have something, implying a readiness and willingness.

FAQs

How can I use "voracious" in a sentence?

You can use "voracious" to describe someone who has a large appetite for food, or metaphorically, for someone who is extremely eager to consume knowledge or experiences. For example, "He was a "voracious reader"" or "The company has a "voracious appetite for acquisitions"".

What words are similar in meaning to "voracious"?

Alternatives to "voracious" include "ravenous", "insatiable", "avid", and "greedy". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to describe a person as "voracious"?

Yes, it is appropriate to describe a person as "voracious", especially when referring to their appetite for food, knowledge, or new experiences. However, be mindful of the context, as it can sometimes imply greed or excess.

What's the difference between "voracious" and "ravenous"?

"Voracious" and "ravenous" are similar, but "ravenous" often implies a more intense and desperate hunger, while "voracious" can simply mean having a large or insatiable appetite.