- when intr, followed by for or after: to desire intensely; long (for)
- (transitive) to need greatly or urgently
- (transitive) to beg or plead for
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
crave /kreɪv/USA pronunciation
v., craved, crav•ing.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- to long for;
desire eagerly:[~ + object]craves honor and fame more than money. - to have strong need or desire:[~ + for/after + object]craved for the safety and security of home.
- [~ + object] to require;
need: a problem craving your prompt attention.
crave
(krāv),USA pronunciation v., craved, crav•ing.
v.t.
v.i.
crav′er, n.
v.t.
- to long for;
want greatly;
desire eagerly:to crave sweets; to crave affection. - to require;
need:a problem craving prompt attention. - to ask earnestly for (something);
beg for. - to ask (a person) earnestly for something or to do something.
v.i.
- to beg or plead (usually fol. by for).
- bef. 1000; Middle English craven, Old English crafian; akin to Old Norse krefja to demand, lay claim to
- 1. yearn for, hunger for.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
crave /kreɪv/ vb
'crave' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):