famished — extremely hungry; starving
Part of speech: ADJECTIVE
Definition: extremely hungry; starving
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈfæmɪʃt/
Example Sentences
- The students were famished after the 3-hour exam and rushed to the cafeteria.
- My cat acts famished every morning as if I haven't fed him for weeks.
- Despite eating lunch an hour ago, teenagers claimed they were famished again.
famished
ADJECTIVE[/ˈfæmɪʃt/]
extremely hungry; starving
Extremely hungry and starving
Food vanished, hope banished, traveler famished
Got the picture? Now let's practice.
🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
Famished derives from Middle English 'famisshen' (14th century), which originated from Latin 'fames' meaning 'hunger' or 'starvation'. The word evolved through Old French influence and gained its modern form as an adjective describing someone suffering from extreme hunger.
Breakdown
fames (Latin: hunger) + -ish (verb-forming suffix) + -ed (past participle suffix, indicating a state of being). The suffix combination transforms the noun 'fames' into an adjective meaning 'affected by hunger'.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The students were famished after the 3-hour exam and rushed to the cafeteria.”
“My cat acts famished every morning as if I haven't fed him for weeks.”
“Despite eating lunch an hour ago, teenagers claimed they were famished again.”
“The famished travelers gratefully accepted any food the villagers offered.”
📚Related Words
Want to master 27,000+ words?
Sign up free for flashcards & quizzes.