Glutton
noun /ˈɡlʌt.ən/ — An excessively greedy eater; someone who consumes far beyond need.
Definition
An excessively greedy eater; a person with an insatiable appetite for food. Also: someone inordinately eager for something (a glutton for punishment). Gluttony is one of the Seven Deadly Sins — the sin of taking more than you need.
Beyond the definition
Gluttony gets a bad reputation, but the word contains something recognizable. We have all, at some point, been a glutton — for warmth, for stories, for the company of someone we could not get enough of.
Origin & history
Latin: 'gluttire' (to swallow). Related to 'glut'. One of the Seven Deadly Sins in Christian theology — the excessive consumption that comes from insufficient gratitude for what one has.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
She was a glutton for punishment — she kept re-reading the difficult books because difficulty was where she learned.
The festival was a celebration of gluttony in its most joyful sense: too much of everything wonderful.
He was a glutton for stories; he could listen for hours and still want more.
How to use it
This entry uses a noun. Follow the examples for articles and singular or plural forms; not every noun takes “a” or “an.”
Choose “Glutton” when the meaning fits your context: An excessively greedy eater; a person with an insatiable appetite for food. Also: someone inordinately eager for something (a glutton for punishment). Gluttony is one of the Seven Deadly Sins — the sin of taking more than you need.
Synonyms
overeater, gourmand, pig, excess
Antonyms
ascetic, abstainer, moderate
Related words
Glutton vs epicure
A glutton is motivated by the excess and greed of consumption. An epicure is motivated by the discernment and quality of the experience.
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Illustrative example
Variety of Dishes on Table
A Swedish buffet table is laid out with many different dishes of varying textures and styles.
The vast spread of the buffet table, if taken as a single meal, alludes to the concept of gluttony—the act of taking far more than is needed and indulging in excess.
Image credit: by bigmick · CC BY-SA 2.0 (license)
Resized and converted to WebP; displayed with a fitted crop.
Questions about this word
What does "Glutton" mean?
Glutton is noun meaning: An excessively greedy eater; someone who consumes far beyond need.. An excessively greedy eater; a person with an insatiable appetite for food. Also: someone inordinately eager for something (a glutton for punishment). Gluttony is one of the Seven Deadly Sins — the sin of taking more than you need.
Where does the word "Glutton" come from?
Latin: 'gluttire' (to swallow). Related to 'glut'. One of the Seven Deadly Sins in Christian theology — the excessive consumption that comes from insufficient gratitude for what one has.