crave
gb/kɹˈeɪv/ us/kɹˈeɪv/
B2
English
Senses
0 senses
Verb
B2
action
1
want something very strongly
to want something a lot
Usage pattern:
crave [something] / crave to do [something]
Common mistake:
Do not confuse crave with carve. Also, you can say “crave something” without “for” (though “crave for” exists).
Synonyms
long for (Often suggests missing something over time.)
|
yearn for (More emotional and sometimes more intense.)
|
desire (More general and sometimes more formal.)
Antonyms
be indifferent to (Shows no strong desire or interest.)
|
not want (Neutral opposite of wanting.)
Collocations
crave something
|crave to do something
|crave freedom
|crave change
|crave adventure
|crave comfort
|crave peace
|crave recognition
|crave companionship
|crave a break
Themes
emotions
|desires
|daily_life
Examples
- After a week in the city, she craved fresh air and quiet.
- He craves a life with more meaning and less stress.
- I’m craving a chance to start over.
Learner examples
- I crave a holiday.
- She craves more time with her family.
Verb
B2
action
2
strongly want a particular food
to really want a certain food or drink
Usage pattern:
crave [food/drink]
Common mistake:
Crave is usually used for specific foods (e.g., chocolate), not for general hunger (use “be hungry”).
Synonyms
have a craving for (Common alternative phrasing; slightly less direct than crave.)
|
hanker for (More informal; often sounds a bit old-fashioned.)
Antonyms
lose your appetite for (To stop wanting a particular food.)
|
feel sick at the thought of (Strong dislike that prevents eating.)
Collocations
crave chocolate
|crave something sweet
|crave salty food
|crave carbs
|crave sugar
|crave caffeine
|crave coffee
|crave a cigarette
|crave alcohol
|crave ice
Themes
food_and_drink
|health
|daily_life
Examples
- When I’m stressed, I crave chocolate.
- She craved something salty after the long run.
- Lately he’s been craving coffee every afternoon.
Learner examples
- I crave pizza today.
- They crave something sweet.
Verb
C1
action
3
strongly want attention or affection
to really want love, attention, or approval
Usage pattern:
crave [attention/approval/affection/validation]
Common mistake:
Crave often implies an intense need; avoid using it for small, casual wants (use “want” or “would like”).
Synonyms
need (More general; can sound less dramatic than crave.)
|
seek (Emphasizes active looking for it.)
Antonyms
shun (To deliberately avoid people or attention.)
|
avoid (To try not to get attention or contact.)
Collocations
crave attention
|crave approval
|crave affection
|crave validation
|crave praise
|crave reassurance
|crave love
|crave human contact
Themes
relationships
|emotions
|social_life
Examples
- As a new manager, she craved approval from her team.
- He craved affection but didn’t know how to ask for it.
- After months working remotely, they craved human contact.
Learner examples
- He craves attention.
- She craves approval.
Verb
formal
C1
action
4
ask for something formally
to ask for something very politely (formal)
Usage pattern:
crave [something] (of/from [someone])
Common mistake:
This sense is formal and uncommon in everyday conversation; in most situations use “ask” or “request.”
Synonyms
request (Neutral formal alternative; much more common.)
|
beg (More emotional and less formal.)
Antonyms
refuse (To say you will not give or do something requested.)
|
decline (More polite/formal way to refuse.)
Collocations
crave permission
|crave forgiveness
|crave mercy
|crave your patience
|crave your understanding
|crave leave to do something
Themes
formal_communication
Examples
- I crave your forgiveness for the misunderstanding.
- We crave your permission to extend the deadline by one week.
- He craved mercy, but the judge remained unmoved.
Learner examples
- I crave your forgiveness.
- We crave your permission.
Grammar
Dictionary form
crave
IPA
GB/kɹˈeɪv/
US/kɹˈeɪv/
Syllables & stress
crave (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (crave)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: crave
- 3rd Person Singular: craves
- Present Participle: craving
- Past: craved
Word family
Forms
Expressions
crave leave (to do something)
1/kɹˈeɪv lˈiv tə dˈu sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
archaic
formally ask permission
a very old-fashioned way to say “ask permission”
Examples
- May I crave leave to add one final point before we vote?
- Counsel craved leave to address the court on a procedural matter.
- I crave leave to withdraw my earlier remark.
i crave your indulgence
1/ˈaɪ kɹˈeɪv jˈʊɹ ɪndˈʌld͡ʒəns/
fixed phrase
formal
polite request for patience
a very formal way to ask people to be patient
Examples
- I crave your indulgence while I explain the reasons for this decision.
- I crave your indulgence for a few minutes as we work through the details.
- I crave your indulgence if my voice is a little hoarse today.
i crave your pardon
1/ˈaɪ kɹˈeɪv jˈʊɹ pˈɑɹdən/
fixed phrase
formal
polite apology for interrupting
a very formal way to say “sorry”
Examples
- I crave your pardon for interrupting, but there’s an urgent call for you.
- I crave your pardon—did you say Tuesday or Thursday?
- I crave your pardon for the confusion in my earlier message.