cravings
KRAY-vingz
/ˈkreɪvɪŋz/
Powerful desires for specific foods, often experienced during pregnancy.
Unlike normal hunger, cravings are often for unusual combinations or specific items that the person might not usually enjoy.
The story behind the word. The word traces back to the Old English 'crafian', meaning to beg or demand as a right. Over time, it shifted from a legal demand to a physical one—the body 'demanding' a certain substance.
Word relationships
- yearning: Yearning is more emotional or spiritual, while cravings are usually physical and food-related.
- urge: An urge is a sudden impulse, whereas a craving can be a sustained, nagging desire.
- aversion: An aversion is a strong dislike or disgust toward something, the opposite of a craving.
Commonly confused with
- hunger: Hunger is a general need for food; a craving is a specific desire for one particular thing.
Word family
- crave (verb): To feel a powerful desire for something.
Collocations
- intense cravings
- food cravings
- pregnancy cravings
- satisfy a craving
Example sentences
- "Her pregnancy cravings were legendary, ranging from pickles dipped in peanut butter to spicy tacos at 3 AM." Pregnancy anecdote
- "Some experts believe that food cravings during pregnancy are the body's way of signaling a need for specific nutrients." Biological explanation
Memory hook
If you 'crave' it, you 'rave' about how much you want it. Must-have food.
When not to use
Don't use 'cravings' for a simple preference; it implies an intense, almost uncontrollable urge.
Fun facts
- Pica is a specific type of craving where pregnant women desire non-food items like ice, dirt, or chalk.
Related words
Take your vocabulary further with LangBlitz
Our English vocabulary app: FSRS spaced repetition, 5,000+ curated words across 119 topic groups, CEFR A1 to C2. Explore your mastery with the beautiful Vocabulary World feature.