craving
gb/kɹˈeɪvɪŋ/ us/kɹˈeɪvɪŋ/
B2
English
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B2
state
1
strong desire for a food
A very strong want to eat or drink something.
Usage pattern:
a craving for [food/drink]
Common mistake:
Don’t use it for normal preferences; a craving is usually strong and hard to ignore.
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.)
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
Themes
food
|health
|daily_life
Examples
- I had a sudden craving for ice cream.
- Her cravings for salty snacks got stronger in the evening.
- He tried to ignore his craving for coffee.
Learner examples
- I have a craving for chocolate.
- She got a craving for pizza.
Noun
technical
C1
state
2
strong urge for an addictive substance
A very strong need for an addictive drug or substance.
Usage pattern:
a craving for [substance]
Common mistake:
It’s commonly used in addiction contexts; avoid using it casually when you mean a simple want.
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.)
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
Themes
health
|medicine
|addiction
Examples
- During the first week of quitting, his nicotine cravings were intense.
- The medication helped reduce her cravings for alcohol.
- Stress can trigger cravings even after months of sobriety.
Learner examples
- He had strong cravings for cigarettes.
Noun
C1
state
3
strong desire for something non-physical
A very strong want for something, like attention or love.
Usage pattern:
a craving for [attention/affection/excitement/etc.]
Common mistake:
Often followed by for + noun; avoid *craving of* in this meaning.
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.)
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
Themes
emotions
|relationships
|work
Examples
- He had a craving for attention that made him interrupt people.
- After years in the same job, she felt a craving for change.
- The film captures a craving for connection in a lonely city.
Learner examples
- She has a craving for adventure.
adjective
literary
C1
property
4
strongly wanting something (describing)
Wanting something very much.
Usage pattern:
craving for [something]
Common mistake:
In everyday conversation, people more often say 'really wanting' or use the verb 'crave.'
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.)
Collocations
craving for love
|craving for approval
|craving eyes
|a craving look
|craving desire
Themes
emotions
Examples
- He gave her a craving look, as if he wanted her attention.
- She was craving for reassurance after the argument.
Learner examples
- He was craving for a break.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.