famished
Elementary (A2)
IPA: //ˈfæmɪʃt//
KK: /ˈfæmɪʃt/
adjective
Definition
Feeling very hungry or having a strong desire for food.
Example
After skipping breakfast, I felt famished by lunchtime.
Conversation
I just finished my workout, and I'm absolutely famished!
You should grab something to eat, then.
I was thinking about making a big sandwich to satisfy my hunger.
Sounds perfect! A sandwich is just what you need when you're famished.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
starved
ravenous
hungry
Antonyms
full
sated
satisfied
verb
Definition
To suffer from extreme hunger or to cause someone to suffer from extreme hunger.
Example
After hiking all day, I felt famished and couldn't wait to eat dinner.
Tense Forms
Past: famished
Past Participle: famished
Conversation
I can't believe I famished myself during lunch today.
What happened? Did you forget to eat?
Yeah, I got so busy with work that I just skipped it.
Root Explanation
Famished comes from the root "famine" (from Old French *famine*, meaning extreme hunger) and the suffix "-ed" (indicating a state or condition). The word "famished" means in a state of extreme hunger or starvation.
Memory Tip
Think of the word 'famine' which refers to extreme hunger, and remember that 'famished' describes being in that state of hunger.
Visually Confused Words
fished
fishbed