noun

yearning

/ˈjɜːrnɪŋ/ · say it: YER·ning

an intense feeling of loss and longing

In Emotions & Moods

In more detail

1. (noun) a strong desire for something, especially something you do not have or cannot have

2. (verb) to have a strong desire for something

Examples

1. There was a yearning in her heart for adventure and travel.
2. She yearned for home after years away.

How to use yearning

Yearning expresses an intense, often poignant desire for something absent or unattainable, carrying an emotional weight beyond simple wanting. It frequently appears in literary and formal contexts and often implies a degree of melancholy or wistfulness. The term emphasizes the emotional depth of longing rather than its practical pursuit.

Common phrases

yearning for something
deep yearning
yearning to do something
yearning look
yearning for home

Synonyms

longing · craving · desire · pining · hankering

Opposites

satisfaction · contentment · indifference

Word family

yearn (verb) · yearning (noun/adjective) · yearningly (adverb)

A common mistake

Learners sometimes use yearning for trivial or easily obtainable desires; it works best for profound, meaningful longings that cannot be easily satisfied.

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