appetite

[/ˈæp.ɪ.taɪt/]
nounpl: appetites
apetite
1. A natural desire to eat food
I worked all day and now I have a big appetite.
Trabalhei o dia todo e agora tenho um grande apetite.
2. A strong desire or enthusiasm for something
She has a voracious appetite for knowledge.
Ela tem um apetite voraz por conhecimento.
3. A tendency or inclination towards something (often negative)
The company's appetite for profit led to unethical practices.
O apetite da empresa por lucro levou a práticas antiéticas.
In both American and Brazilian cultures, 'appetite' is commonly used metaphorically to describe enthusiasm or desire for non-food things. In Brazil, 'apetite' is equally used in both literal and figurative contexts. The phrase 'bom apetite' (good appetite) is a common greeting before meals in Portuguese-speaking countries, similar to saying 'bon appétit' in French.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
hungercravingdesirelonginginclinationenthusiasm
Antonyms / Antônimos
fullnesssatiationdisinterestaversion

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
apetite
Standard term used throughout Brazil
Rio de Janeiro
apetite
No significant regional variation
São Paulo
apetite
No significant regional variation
Portugal
apetite
Identical usage; also used figuratively as in Brazilian Portuguese

Related Words

appetizerappetizinghungrysatiatepalatecravings

Related Idioms & Phrases

whet one's appetite - to create a desire or interest
lose one's appetite - to stop feeling hungry or interested
have an appetite for something - to have a strong desire for something
work up an appetite - to become hungry through activity
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