What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
hanker
Example
I hankered after a taste of my grandmother's homemade apple pie. [hankered: past tense]
Example
She always hankers for adventure and excitement. [hankers: present tense]
crave
Example
I crave a cup of coffee every morning to start my day. [crave: verb]
Example
She has been having cravings for pickles and ice cream since she got pregnant. [cravings: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Crave is more commonly used than hanker in everyday language. Crave is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while hanker is less common and tends to be used in more literary or formal contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between hanker and crave?
While hanker is typically associated with a more formal or literary tone, crave is more versatile and can be employed in both formal and informal contexts.