Definitions
- Describing a severe lack of food or nourishment that leads to malnourishment or death. - Referring to a state of extreme hunger or deprivation due to a lack of food or resources. - Talking about a situation where someone is deprived of food for a prolonged period, leading to physical and mental deterioration.
- Describing a state of extreme hunger or starvation due to a lack of food or resources. - Referring to a situation where someone is deprived of food for a prolonged period, leading to physical and mental deterioration. - Talking about a severe lack of food or nourishment that leads to malnourishment or death.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words describe a state of extreme hunger or starvation.
- 2Both words can be used to refer to a lack of food or resources.
- 3Both words suggest a prolonged period of deprivation.
- 4Both words can be used to describe physical and mental deterioration due to lack of food.
What is the difference?
- 1Usage: Starve is more commonly used than famish in everyday language.
- 2Intensity: Starve implies a more severe and life-threatening condition than famish.
- 3Connotation: Starve has a more negative connotation than famish, which can be used in a more neutral context.
- 4Formality: Starve is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts. Famish is less common and may be considered more formal or archaic.
Remember this!
Starve and famish are synonyms that describe a state of extreme hunger or starvation due to a lack of food or resources. However, starve is more commonly used and implies a more severe and life-threatening condition than famish. While both words suggest a prolonged period of deprivation and can be used to describe physical and mental deterioration due to lack of food, famish is an older word with Middle English roots and may be considered more formal or archaic.