gluttonous - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
gluttonous Word Meanings
- excessively greedy, especially in eating
- having an insatiable appetite
- voracious and indulgent in consumption
gluttonous Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
gluttonous Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/ˈɡlʌtənəs/
US
/ˈɡlʌtənəs/
gluttonous Word Etymology
glutton = gluttire (from Latin) + -ous (suffix indicating quality) | Middle English → Old French → Latin. Imagine a large, fluffy creature who can't stop eating delicious food, spilling leftovers everywhere as it enjoys every bite; gluttonous people are like that, overindulging in their desires.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputReal Context
Gluttonous describes a person who is excessively greedy, especially about food, and perhaps about other pleasures. It carries a strong negative judgment and implies a pattern of overindulgence rather than a momentary lapse. It is closer to 'voracious' or 'insatiable' in appetite than to simple 'hungry.' In everyday English you might warn against 'gluttonous' behavior at a picnic or party, noting that generosity is okay but unrestrained consumption crosses a line. The word appears in both humorous and formal contexts, and its noun form is gluttony. A noun 'glutton' refers to the person; 'gluttonous' is the adjective.
Usage Reminders
- 1) Use gluttonous for habitual excess, not a one-time slip.
- 2) Pair with nouns like appetite or behavior, not people alone.
- 3) Consider tone: humorous vs. critical depending on context.
- 4) Distinguish from noun 'glutton' and the abstract 'gluttony'.
- 5) Use milder synonyms if you want to soften the critique.
Common Misconceptions
- It means someone is just a little hungry, not necessarily greedy.
- It refers to a person’s weight or health only.
- _gluttonous_ and _glutton_ are interchangeable as adjectives.
- It describes a one-time act of overeating.
- It is a neutral or positive description.
Thinking Differences
To an English speaker, gluttonous presses the moral judgment that excess is undesirable, often in a humorous or harsh register; learners tend to overextend it to all kinds of appetite, or to use it for non-food obsessions.
Learning Tips
- 1) Learn with collocations: gluttonous appetite, gluttonous behavior, not just 'gluttonous person'.
- 2) Compare with voracious and insatiable to calibrate intensity.
- 3) Practice with sarcastic or humorous contexts to feel tone.
- 4) Use the noun gluttony and the verb to gorge as alternatives.
- 5) Read sentences from literature to see nuanced usage.
- 6) Create your own sentences to reinforce habitual sense.
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 1: Meaning
What is the meaning of the word 'gluttonous'?
A.Energetic
B.Innocent
C.Shy
D.Excessive greed
Step 2: Usage
Which sentence uses 'gluttonous' correctly?
A.He had a gluttonous appetite for sweets.
B.The child was innocent and curious.
C.The cat was playful and energetic.
D.She was always shy around new people.
Step 3: Similar Words
What is a synonym for 'gluttonous'?
A.Moderate
B.Generous
C.Frugal
D.Greedy
Step 4: Opposite Words
What is an antonym for 'gluttonous'?
A.Eager
B.Temperate
C.Indulgent
D.Voracious
Step 5: Mastery
In what context would 'gluttonous' be used?
A.Describing someone who is very patient
B.Referring to excessive eating or drinking
C.Talking about a skilled musician
D.Discussing a calm and peaceful environment
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