What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
famished
Example
After hiking all day, I was famished and couldn't wait to eat dinner. [famished: adjective]
Example
The refugees had been famished for days before they were finally given food. [famished: past participle]
starving
Example
I'm starving! When will dinner be ready? [starving: present participle]
Example
The homeless man on the street looked like he had been starving for weeks. [starving: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Starving is more commonly used than famished in everyday language, and is therefore more familiar to ESL learners.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between famished and starving?
Famished is more formal than starving, and may be more appropriate in academic or professional contexts.
