famished

This term conveys a level of hunger that goes far beyond being merely hungry or peckish. It suggests a state of physical urgency or desperation, often evoking a feeling of emptiness or weakness. In casual conversation, it is frequently used as a hyperbolic expression to describe a strong appetite after skipping a meal.

In more serious or clinical contexts, the word describes the actual physiological state of starvation. It carries a heavier emotional weight than hungry, implying a prolonged deprivation of sustenance that affects one's overall well-being and energy levels.