What term describes someone who is extremely hungry?

The term "famished" accurately conveys a state of extreme hunger. It originates from the idea of being so deprived of food that one experiences a deep craving or need to eat. This term is often used in both everyday language and literature to emphasize how intense the feeling of hunger can be. It evokes a sense of urgency and desperation regarding the need for sustenance, which aligns well with the notion of being extremely hungry.

In contrast, while "starving" also communicates a severe level of hunger, it can sometimes imply a longer duration of deprivation or be used metaphorically, which might not directly fit every context of acute hunger. "Ravenous" suggests an intense, almost wild craving for food, but may carry a slightly different nuance, emphasizing not just hunger but an insatiable need. "Hollow," in this context, does not effectively describe hunger as it usually refers to a physical emptiness or lack, rather than a direct expression of appetite or desire for food.

Thus, "famished" is the most precise term to describe someone who is extremely hungry, capturing both the urgency and depth of the feeling.