Cool MateDevour vs Feast on his flesh
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Devour
Top 2,000 (common)C1verb
Feast on his flesh
VulgarBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Most formal: DevourMost common: Devour
| Devour | Feast on his flesh | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //dɪˈvaʊə//🇺🇸 //dɪˈvaʊɚ// | 🇬🇧 //fiːst ɒn hɪz flɛʃ//🇺🇸 //fiːst ɑn hɪz flɛʃ// |
| Meaning | To eat something very eagerly or quickly. | Eat a lot of his body. |
| Example | The children devoured the delicious pizza within minutes. | The predator will feast on his flesh if it catches him. |
| Register | Neutral | Vulgar |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | devour a book, devour a meal, devour food, devour with delight | feast on goodness, feast on delicacies, feast on the memories |
| Antonyms | fast, nibble, snack | - |
| 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 '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 '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. |
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Frequently asked questions: Devour vs Feast on his flesh
What's the difference between Devour and Feast on his flesh?
Devour: To eat something very eagerly or quickly. Feast on his flesh: Eat a lot of his body.
Which is more formal: Devour and Feast on his flesh?
Devour is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Devour and Feast on his flesh?
Devour is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
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 Devour and Feast on his flesh interchangeably?
Not always. 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.