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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Appetite Definition, Usage & Key Differences (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：desire to eat (appetite)

appetite 🔊

/ˈæpɪtaɪt/

The natural feeling of wanting to eat food.

Appetite illustration: person eagerly looking at a delicious plate of pasta.

desire to eat 🔊

➕

/dɪˈzaɪər tə iːt/

This is the physical sensation or instinctive longing for food, typically triggered by the body's need for nutrients.

📁 Category：Diet & Health 🔖 Level：Beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'appetitus' (desire for) → 'ad-' (to) + 'petere' (seek).

💡 Mnemonic

Think: A phone APP that reminds you to EAT (ET) makes you think of your APP-ET-ITE. Or: You have an APPETITE to bite (ITE sounds like 'bite').

📖 Example

After playing outside all afternoon, the children came home with a huge appetite for dinner. 🔊 Following an afternoon of outdoor play, the children returned home extremely hungry for their evening meal.

🔗 Collocations

good/healthy appetite – a strong and normal desire for food

loss of appetite – a decreased interest in eating

work up an appetite – to do physical activity to make oneself hungry

🔄 Synonyms

hunger (n.) – a feeling of discomfort or weakness caused by lack of food

craving (n.) – a powerful desire for something, especially food

desire (n.) – a strong feeling of wanting to have or do something

🚫 Antonyms

satiety (n.) – the feeling or state of being fully satisfied, especially with food

aversion (n.) – a strong dislike or disinclination

disinterest (n.) – lack of interest in or concern about something

🌱 Derivatives

appetizer (n.) – a small dish of food or a drink taken before a meal to stimulate one's appetite

appetizing (adj.) – stimulating or appealing to the appetite

📖 Cultural Story

The word 'appetite' comes from the Latin 'appetitus', meaning 'desire for' or 'longing', derived from 'ad-' (to, toward) and 'petere' (to seek, to aim at). It entered English in the 17th century via Old French 'apetit', retaining its core meaning of a strong natural craving.

Meaning 2：strong desire (appetite)

appetite 🔊

/ˈæpɪtaɪt/

A strong desire or liking for something (not just food).

Appetite for travel: tourist excitedly pointing at a destination on a large map.

strong desire 🔊

➕

/strɒŋ dɪˈzaɪə/

This is a metaphorical extension of the word, referring to an eager wish, keen interest, or enthusiastic inclination towards any activity, experience, or object.

📁 Category：Social Economy 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

The new history book has really stimulated my appetite for learning about ancient civilizations. 🔊 The recently published history text has greatly increased my interest in studying ancient cultures.

🔗 Collocations

appetite for risk – willingness to take chances, especially in finance

public appetite – the general population's interest or demand for something

whet one's appetite – to increase one's desire for something

🔄 Synonyms

desire (n.) – a strong feeling of wanting to have something or wishing for something to happen

enthusiasm (n.) – intense and eager enjoyment, interest, or approval

interest (n.) – the feeling of wanting to know or learn about something or someone

🚫 Antonyms

apathy (n.) – lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern

indifference (n.) – lack of interest, concern, or sympathy