noun
Uncommon
longing
LO-ngihng
Longing (noun) means a strong, often wistful desire for something. Example: “She felt a quiet longing for her childhood home.”
noun
1
A strong, often wistful desire for something.
"She felt a quiet longing for her childhood home."
"His letters were filled with longing for his family back home."
How to use longing
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA deep, often sad, yearning for something you don't currently have.
Common pairings
a longing for home
feel a longing
deep longing
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Word forms
- Plural
- longings
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She felt a quiet _____ for her childhood home.
Etymology
From Old English longung, langung ("longing, desire"), related to the verb "long" (to yearn).
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for longing
See all rhymes for longing →Frequently asked questions
What does “longing” mean?
The word “longing” means a strong, often wistful desire for something. In plain terms, a deep, often sad, yearning for something you don't currently have.
How do you pronounce “longing”?
“Longing” is pronounced LO-ngihng (/ˈlɔːŋɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “longing” in a sentence?
Here is “longing” used in a sentence: “She felt a quiet longing for her childhood home.”
What is another word for “longing”?
Words with a similar meaning to “longing” include yearning.
What part of speech is “longing”?
“Longing” is a noun.
Where does the word “longing” come from?
The word “longing” comes from Old English. From Old English longung, langung ("longing, desire"), related to the verb "long" (to yearn).
Is “longing” a common word?
“Longing” is an uncommon word in modern English.
