Cool MateConsume vs Devour vs Feast on his flesh
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Consume
Devour
Feast on his flesh
| Consume | Devour | Feast on his flesh | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/kənˈsjuːm/","/kənˈsjuːmz/","/kənˈsjuːmd/","/kənˈsjuːmɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/kənˈsuːm/","/kənˈsuːmz/","/kənˈsuːmd/","/kənˈsuːmɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //dɪˈvaʊə//🇺🇸 //dɪˈvaʊɚ// | 🇬🇧 //fiːst ɒn hɪz flɛʃ//🇺🇸 //fiːst ɑn hɪz flɛʃ// |
| Meaning | To eat or drink something or to use up something. | To eat something very eagerly or quickly. | Eat a lot of his body. |
| Example | We need to consume less energy to help the environment. | The children devoured the delicious pizza within minutes. | The predator will feast on his flesh if it catches him. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Vulgar |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | C1 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | verb | |
| Collocations | consume food, consume resources, consume energy, consume alcohol, consume information | devour a book, devour a meal, devour food, devour with delight | feast on goodness, feast on delicacies, feast on the memories |
| Antonyms | produce, generate | fast, nibble, snack | - |
| Common mistakes | Confusing 'consume' with 'use'; they can mean different things., Using 'consuming' as an incorrect verb form without an object., Mixing up the noun form 'consumption' with 'consume.' | Confusing with 'devote', which means to dedicate something., Using 'devour' with inanimate objects mistakenly., Overusing it instead of simpler words like 'eat' for casual contexts. | Using 'feast' as a noun incorrectly., Omitting the preposition 'on' when describing what is being eaten., Confusing 'feast on' with 'feast at' - 'feast on' implies eating something specific. |
| Usage notes | Use 'consume' in contexts related to food, energy, or resources. It's appropriate in both spoken and written language, but avoid it in very casual conversation where simpler words like 'eat' or 'drink' might be better. | Use 'devour' when describing the act of eating with great enthusiasm or speed. It is often used in both literal and metaphorical contexts, such as in literature or when discussing a passion for books. | This phrase is very graphic and can be used in a metaphorical sense. It is often not suitable for formal writing or polite conversation. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: Consume vs Devour vs Feast on his flesh
What's the difference between Consume, Devour, and Feast on his flesh?
Consume: To eat or drink something or to use up something. Devour: To eat something very eagerly or quickly. Feast on his flesh: Eat a lot of his body.
Which is more common: Consume, Devour, and Feast on his flesh?
Consume is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Consume, Devour, and Feast on his flesh?
Devour is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.
Can you show an example of each?
Consume: We need to consume less energy to help the environment. Devour: The children devoured the delicious pizza within minutes. Feast on his flesh: The predator will feast on his flesh if it catches him.
Can I use Consume, Devour, and Feast on his flesh interchangeably?
Not always. Consume, Devour, and Feast on his flesh are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.