Starve

/stɑrv/

Meaning & Definition

verb
To suffer or die from lack of food.
Many people in poverty starve due to the lack of access to basic nutrition.
To suffer from extreme hunger or to deprive oneself of food.
After hours of waiting for the delayed flight, I was starting to starve.
To withhold food from someone or something.
The veterinarian warned that starving a pet can lead to serious health issues.
To suffer from a lack of something essential.
The plants began to starve for sunlight as the trees grew thicker.
To cause someone to experience extreme deprivation.
He felt like his creativity was starting to starve in the restrictive work environment.

Etymology

Middle English sterven, starven, from Old English styrfan; related to Old Norse sterta 'to die'.

Common Phrases and Expressions

starve to death:
To die from lack of food or hunger.
starving artist:
An artist who struggles to make a living.
starving for something:
Desperately wanting or needing something.

Related Words

Slang Meanings

To be very hungry.
I'm starving! When is dinner?
To go without something you want.
I'm starving for a new phone; I can't stand this old one anymore.