devour

[dɪˈvaʊə(r)]

devour Definition

• 1. to eat something quickly and eagerly
• 2. to read or look at something with great interest and enthusiasm

Using devour: Examples

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

• Example

  The hungry dog devoured the steak in seconds.

• Example

  She devoured the book in one sitting.

• Example

  The fire devoured the entire building.

• Example

  He devoured the scenery with his eyes.

devour Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for devour

• consume
• ingest
• gobble
• swallow
• absorb

Antonyms for devour

• regurgitate
• spit out

Idioms Using devour

• a devouring flame

  a fire that spreads quickly and destroys everything in its path

  Example

  The forest fire was a devouring flame that left nothing but ash in its wake.

• devour someone alive

  to criticize or attack someone harshly and relentlessly

  Example

  The boss was known to devour employees alive if they made a mistake.

• devour the competition

  to be very successful and defeat all competitors

  Example

  The new company was able to devour the competition and become the leader in the industry.

Phrases with devour

• devour with one's eyes

  to look at someone or something with great interest and admiration

  Example

  She saw the painting and devoured it with her eyes.

• devour a book

  to read a book quickly and with great enthusiasm

  Example

  I devoured the latest novel by my favorite author in just two days.

• devour a meal

  to eat a meal quickly and with great enthusiasm

  Example

  After a long day of hiking, we devoured the hot meal that was waiting for us.

Origins of devour

from Old French 'devorer', from Latin 'devorare', from 'de-' (down) + 'vorare' (to swallow)

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Summary: devour in Brief

To 'devour' [dɪˈvaʊə(r)] means to eat or consume something quickly and eagerly, or to read or look at something with great interest and enthusiasm. It can refer to physical consumption, as in 'The hungry dog devoured the steak in seconds,' or intellectual consumption, as in 'She devoured the book in one sitting.' 'Devour' is often used in idioms like 'devour the competition,' meaning to be very successful and defeat all competitors.