Cool MateDevour vs Eat it
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Devour
Top 2,000 (common)C1verb
Eat it
Top 2,000 (common)
| Devour | Eat it | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //dɪˈvaʊə//🇺🇸 //dɪˈvaʊɚ// | 🇬🇧 //iːt ɪt//🇺🇸 //it ɪt// |
| Meaning | To eat something very eagerly or quickly. | To consume food. |
| Example | The children devoured the delicious pizza within minutes. | You should eat it before it gets cold. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | devour a book, devour a meal, devour food, devour with delight | eat dinner, eat lunch, eat fast |
| Antonyms | fast, nibble, snack | spit it out, refuse, reject |
| Common mistakes | 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 'ate it' instead of 'eat it' in the present tense., Confusing with 'eat' when referring to a non-food item., Misplacing the object, e.g. saying 'eat' without specifying what. |
| Usage notes | 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. | Commonly used in everyday language when referring to consuming food. Less appropriate in formal writing. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: Devour vs Eat it
What's the difference between Devour and Eat it?
Devour: To eat something very eagerly or quickly. Eat it: To consume food.
Can you show an example of each?
Devour: The children devoured the delicious pizza within minutes. Eat it: You should eat it before it gets cold.
Can I use Devour and Eat it interchangeably?
Not always. Devour and Eat it 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.