noun

longing

/ˈlɔŋɪŋ/ · say it: LONG·ing

a strong persistent desire

In Emotions & Moods

In more detail

1. (noun) a strong, persistent desire to have or do something

2. (adjective) showing a strong desire for something that is absent or difficult to obtain

Examples

1. She felt a deep longing for her family back home.
2. He gave her a longing look as the train pulled away from the station.

How to use longing

Longing conveys a more intense, emotional, and often melancholic desire than simple wanting. It emphasizes the emotional weight of missing something or someone, or yearning for an unattainable state. As an adjective, it describes expressions or gazes that reveal such desire.

Common phrases

longing for someone
longing look
deep longing
longing to do something
a longing gaze

Synonyms

yearning · craving · desire · pining · hunger

Opposites

indifference · apathy

Word family

long (verb) · longingly (adverb)

A common mistake

Learners sometimes use longing only for people, but it readily applies to situations, places, or states of being—you can long for a time in the past or a peaceful life.

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