To starve means to suffer or die from lack of food. When people or animals starve, their bodies don't get the nutrition they need to survive. Throughout history, entire populations have starved during famines when crops failed or wars disrupted food supplies. Animals in the wild can starve during harsh winters when they can't find enough to eat.

The word also describes extreme hunger that's uncomfortable but not life-threatening. After a long soccer practice, you might say “I'm starving!” even though you really just mean you're very hungry and ready for dinner. This casual usage is so common that most people understand the exaggeration.

You can also starve something of what it needs, not just food. A plant starved of sunlight will wither. A friendship starved of attention might fade away. When teachers say “feed your curiosity,” they're suggesting the opposite of starving it: give your mind the interesting questions and challenges it needs to grow.

The related word starvation describes the condition of starving: “The explorers faced starvation after their supplies ran out.” To say someone is starved for something means they desperately need or want it, like being starved for good conversation after spending all day alone.