How Do You Spell FAMISH?

Pronunciation: [fˈamɪʃ] (IPA)

The spelling of "famish" can be confusing for many English speakers because it is pronounced differently than it is spelled. The correct pronunciation is /ˈfeɪmɪʃ/ (fay-mish), with the stress on the first syllable. It is often mistaken for the word "famished," which has a similar meaning but a different spelling and pronunciation. "Famish" means to cause someone to suffer from hunger or starvation, and is not commonly used in modern English. Its usage is considered archaic and is often replaced with modern synonyms such as "starve" or "deprive."

FAMISH Meaning and Definition

  1. Famish is a verb that primarily refers to the act of hungering or starving, whether in a literal or metaphorical sense. In its literal sense, it denotes extreme hunger or deprivation of food, leading to a state of starvation. When used metaphorically, it conveys a profound desire or intense craving for something, often non-material or abstract.

    In the literal context, famish describes the physical suffering and weakness experienced due to long periods of inadequate nourishment. It implies the lack of access to sufficient sustenance necessary for survival. This term may also convey a sense of deprivation or malnourishment that can lead to emaciation and overall decline in health.

    Figuratively, famish denotes an intense yearning for a specific object, experience, or achievement. It embodies a strong desire that consumes one's thoughts and actions, akin to a hunger that cannot be satisfied until the desired outcome is attained. The metaphorical use of famish emphasizes the extent to which a person may long for or obsess over a particular goal or sensation.

    Ultimately, famish encapsulates the notion of enduring extreme hunger or craving, be it in the literal or metaphorical sense, and highlights the intensity and all-consuming nature of that desire or deprivation.

  2. To starve; to suffer from want.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Common Misspellings for FAMISH

Etymology of FAMISH

The word "famish" originated from the Middle English term "fammen", which meant "to starve". This Middle English term ultimately evolved from the Old English word "famian", which also meant "to starve". The etymology of "famian" can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic root "femijaną", meaning "to cause to starve". This word is further connected to the Proto-Indo-European root "dʰeh₁-", denoting "to die" or "to perish". Over time, "famish" emerged in Middle English as a verb that meant "to make or be very hungry" and has continued to be used in that sense in Modern English.

Similar spelling words for FAMISH

Conjugate verb Famish

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have famished
you would have famished
he/she/it would have famished
we would have famished
they would have famished
I would have famish
you would have famish
he/she/it would have famish
we would have famish
they would have famish

CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE

I would have been famishing
you would have been famishing
he/she/it would have been famishing
we would have been famishing
they would have been famishing

CONDITIONAL PRESENT

I would famish
you would famish
he/she/it would famish
we would famish
they would famish

CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE

I would be famishing
you would be famishing
he/she/it would be famishing
we would be famishing
they would be famishing

FUTURE

I will famish
you will famish
he/she/it will famish
we will famish
they will famish

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be famishing
you will be famishing
he/she/it will be famishing
we will be famishing
they will be famishing

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have famished
you will have famished
he/she/it will have famished
we will have famished
they will have famished

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been famishing
you will have been famishing
he/she/it will have been famishing
we will have been famishing
they will have been famishing

IMPERATIVE

you famish
we let´s famish

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to famish

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was famishing
you were famishing
he/she/it was famishing
we were famishing
they were famishing

PAST PARTICIPLE

famished

PAST PERFECT

I had famished
you had famished
he/she/it had famished
we had famished
they had famished

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been famishing
you had been famishing
he/she/it had been famishing
we had been famishing
they had been famishing

PRESENT

I famish
you famish
he/she/it famishes
we famish
they famish

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am famishing
you are famishing
he/she/it is famishing
we are famishing
they are famishing

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

famishing

PRESENT PERFECT

I have famished
you have famished
he/she/it has famished
we have famished
they have famished

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been famishing
you have been famishing
he/she/it has been famishing
we have been famishing
they have been famishing

PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE

he/she/it famish

SIMPLE PAST

I famished
you famished
he/she/it famished
we famished
they famished

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