devour

verb

de·​vour di-ˈvau̇(-ə)r How to pronounce devour (audio)
dē-
devoured; devouring; devours
Synonyms of devour

transitive verb

1
: to eat up greedily or ravenously
devoured the turkey and mashed potatoes
2
: to use up or destroy as if by eating
We are devouring the world's resources.
3
: to prey upon
devoured by guilt
4
: to enjoy avidly
devours books
devourer noun

Synonyms of devour

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Examples of devour in a Sentence

He devoured everything on his plate. The lions devoured their prey. She devoured every golf magazine she could find. He watched intently, devouring the scene before him with his eyes.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The sometimes-flippant enthusiasm with which people devour people’s real stories of loss can sting, Janus said. — Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026 That money has helped keep the medical bills from devouring the Griffins' emergency savings. — Stephanie O'Neill, NPR, 21 Oct. 2026 Here are the best of the hundreds of novels King fans have devoured for decades. — Theara Coleman, TheWeek, 21 Oct. 2026 All the while, Alabama decided that fans would not be allowed to set up any type of tailgate until after 12 noon local time today in an abundance of caution for the wind and rain that would devour the area. — Trey Wallace Outkick, FOXNews.com, 10 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for devour

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French devour-, stem of devorer, from Latin devorare, from de- + vorare to devour — more at voracious

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of devour was in the 14th century

Rhymes for devour

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Browse Nearby Words

De Voto
devour
devourer
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Devour.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/devour. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

devour

verb
de·​vour di-ˈvau̇(ə)r How to pronounce devour (audio)
1
: to eat up greedily or hungrily
devoured everything on his plate
2
: to use up or destroy as if by eating
fire devoured the barn
3
: to enjoy eagerly
devour a book
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