craving
gb/kɹˈeɪvɪŋ/ us/kɹˈeɪvɪŋ/
B2
English
kívánósság, sóvárgás, vágy, sóvár, vágyakozó
NOUN
B2
1
kívánósság
C1
sóvárgás
C1
Usage pattern:
a craving for [food/drink]
I had a sudden craving for ice cream.
Hirtelen megkívántam a fagyit.
Her cravings for salty snacks got stronger in the evening.
Estére még jobban kívánta a sós nassolnivalókat.
He tried to ignore his craving for coffee.
Learner examples
I have a craving for chocolate.
Csokira vágyom.
She got a craving for pizza.
Hirtelen megkívánta a pizzát.
Common mistake:
Don’t use it for normal preferences; a craving is usually strong and hard to ignore.
Meaning
strong desire for a food
Collocations
a craving for chocolate
|a craving for sugar
|a sudden craving
|an intense craving
|get a craving
|have a craving
|late-night cravings
|food cravings
|cravings for salty foods
|satisfy a craving
Synonyms
urge (More general; not always about food.)
|
yearning (Often longer-lasting and more emotional.)
Antonyms
aversion (A strong feeling of dislike, especially toward food.)
|
indifference (No strong feeling or desire.)
Themes
food
|health
|daily_life
Definition
A very strong want to eat or drink something.
A very strong desire to eat or drink a particular thing.
NOUN
C1
TECHNICAL
2
sóvárgás
C1
Usage pattern:
a craving for [substance]
During the first week of quitting, his nicotine cravings were intense.
A leszokás első hetében nagyon erős volt a nikotin utáni sóvárgása.
The medication helped reduce her cravings for alcohol.
A gyógyszer segített csökkenteni az alkohol utáni sóvárgását.
Stress can trigger cravings even after months of sobriety.
Learner examples
He had strong cravings for cigarettes.
Erős cigaretta utáni sóvárgást érzett.
Common mistake:
It’s commonly used in addiction contexts; avoid using it casually when you mean a simple want.
Meaning
strong urge for an addictive substance
Collocations
a nicotine craving
|a drug craving
|alcohol cravings
|cravings and withdrawal
|reduce cravings
|manage cravings
|fight cravings
|cravings for cigarettes
|intense cravings
|cravings return
Synonyms
urge (Less specific; can be any strong impulse.)
|
compulsion (Suggests a stronger, harder-to-control drive.)
Antonyms
abstinence (The state of not using the substance.)
|
satiety (A state of being satisfied; not wanting more.)
Themes
health
|medicine
|addiction
Definition
A very strong need for an addictive drug or substance.
A powerful urge to use an addictive substance such as alcohol, nicotine, or drugs, especially during dependence or withdrawal.
NOUN
C1
3
Usage pattern:
a craving for [attention/affection/excitement/etc.]
He had a craving for attention that made him interrupt people.
Annyira vágyott a figyelemre, hogy folyton félbeszakított másokat.
After years in the same job, she felt a craving for change.
Évek után ugyanabban a munkában erős vágyat érzett a változásra.
The film captures a craving for connection in a lonely city.
Learner examples
She has a craving for adventure.
Nagyon vágyik a kalandokra.
Common mistake:
Often followed by for + noun; avoid *craving of* in this meaning.
Meaning
strong desire for something non-physical
Collocations
a craving for attention
|a craving for affection
|a craving for excitement
|a craving for recognition
|a craving for adventure
|a deep craving
|an underlying craving
|satisfy a craving
|feed a craving
|craving for approval
Synonyms
hunger (Metaphorical; often used for ambition or desire (e.g., hunger for success).)
|
longing (Often suggests emotional depth and duration.)
Antonyms
contentment (A feeling of being satisfied with what you have.)
|
apathy (Lack of interest or desire.)
Themes
emotions
|relationships
|work
Definition
A very strong want for something, like attention or love.
A very strong desire for something such as attention, excitement, affection, or success.
C1
LITERARY
4
Usage pattern:
craving for [something]
He gave her a craving look, as if he wanted her attention.
Sóvár pillantást vetett rá, mintha a figyelmére vágyott volna.
She was craving for reassurance after the argument.
A vita után nagyon vágyott némi megnyugtatásra.
Learner examples
He was craving for a break.
Nagyon vágyott egy kis pihenésre.
Common mistake:
In everyday conversation, people more often say 'really wanting' or use the verb 'crave.'
Meaning
strongly wanting something (describing)
Collocations
craving for love
|craving for approval
|craving eyes
|a craving look
|craving desire
Synonyms
eager (More neutral and common; less intense.)
|
desirous (More formal; focuses on wanting.)
Antonyms
uninterested (Not wanting something.)
|
reluctant (Not willing or not wanting to do something.)
Themes
emotions
Definition
Wanting something very much.
Wanting something very strongly; full of desire.
Grammar
Dictionary form
craving
IPA
GB/kɹˈeɪvɪŋ/
US/kɹˈeɪvɪŋ/
Syllables & stress
crav - ing (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (crav)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: craving
- Plural: craving, cravings
Word family
Forms
cravings
noun
Core family
crave
verb B2
Expressions
be craving [something]
1/bˈi kɹˈeɪvɪŋ sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
want something very much now
To really want something right now.
Examples
- I’m craving something spicy tonight.
- After the run, he was craving ice-cold water.
Learner examples
- I’m craving pizza.
fight a craving
1/fˈaɪt ə kɹˈeɪvɪŋ/
fixed phrase
try to resist a strong urge
To try not to do it, even though you want to.
Examples
- He drank water to fight a craving for sweets.
- She learned breathing techniques to fight nicotine cravings.
Learner examples
- I tried to fight a craving for chocolate.
get a craving (for [something])
1/ɡˈɛt ə kɹˈeɪvɪŋ fɚ sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
begin to want something strongly
To start wanting something very much.
Examples
- I always get a craving for noodles late at night.
- He got a craving for coffee as soon as he smelled it.
Learner examples
- She got a craving for chocolate.
give in to a craving
1/ɡˈɪv ˈɪn tə ə kɹˈeɪvɪŋ/
fixed phrase
stop resisting a strong desire
To do it because you can’t resist.
Examples
- I gave in to a craving and ordered fries.
- He tried not to give in to the craving for a cigarette.
Learner examples
- She gave in to a craving for candy.
have a craving for [something]
1/hˈæv ə kɹˈeɪvɪŋ fɚ sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
feel a strong desire for
To want something very much.
Examples
- I have a craving for something sweet.
- She often has a craving for chips when she’s stressed.
Learner examples
- I have a craving for ice cream.
satisfy a craving
1/sˈætɪsfˌaɪ ə kɹˈeɪvɪŋ/
fixed phrase
do something to stop wanting
To eat/do what you really want.
Examples
- I had a small piece of cake to satisfy my craving.
- A short walk can sometimes satisfy the craving to smoke.
Learner examples
- I ate fruit to satisfy my craving.