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starve

[stɑːv]

starve Definition

  • 1to suffer or die from lack of food
  • 2to feel very hungry
  • 3to deprive someone or something of essential nutrients or resources

Using starve: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "starve" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

  • Example

    The prisoners were left to starve in their cells.

  • Example

    I'm starving! When is dinner going to be ready?

  • Example

    The drought caused the crops to starve for water.

  • Example

    The company's budget cuts have starved the department of necessary resources.

starve Synonyms and Antonyms

Antonyms for starve

Idioms Using starve

  • starve a cold, feed a fever

    a saying that suggests that when you have a cold, you should not eat much, but when you have a fever, you should eat more

    Example

    My grandmother always told me to starve a cold, feed a fever, but I'm not sure if that's really true.

  • an artist who struggles financially while trying to make a living from their art

    Example

    Van Gogh was a famous starving artist who only sold one painting during his lifetime.

  • to feel a strong desire or longing for love and affection

    Example

    After her divorce, she felt like she was starving for love and companionship.

Phrases with starve

  • to die from lack of food

    Example

    Many people in the world still starve to death due to poverty and famine.

  • to crave or desire attention from others

    Example

    She always acts out to get attention because she's starved for it.

  • to prevent or delay something from happening by taking action in advance

    Example

    Eating a healthy diet can help starve off many diseases.

Origins of starve

from Old English 'steorfan', meaning 'to die'

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Summary: starve in Brief

The verb 'starve' [stɑːv] refers to the act of suffering or dying from lack of food, feeling very hungry, or depriving someone or something of essential nutrients or resources. It can be used in phrases like 'starve to death,' which means to die from lack of food, and idioms like 'starving artist,' which refers to an artist who struggles financially while trying to make a living from their art. 'Starve' can also be used to express a strong desire or longing for something, as in 'starve for love.'

How do native speakers use this expression?