yearn
yurn
Yearn (verb) means to have a deep, often wistful longing for something or someone. Example: “She yearned to see her family again after years abroad.”
verb
1
To have a deep, often wistful longing for something or someone.
"She yearned to see her family again after years abroad."
"He yearned for the simpler life he'd left behind."
How to use yearn
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo want something so much it feels like an ache, often mixed with nostalgia or sadness.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
yearn for
yearn to do something
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Word forms
- Plural
- yearns
- Third person singular
- yearns
- Past tense
- yearned, yearnt
- Archaic forms
- yearnest, yearnedst, yearneth
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She _____ to see her family again after years abroad.
Etymology
From Old English ġeornan ("to desire, beg"), from a Germanic root meaning "eager" or "willing."
Related words
Rhymes for yearn
See all rhymes for yearn →Frequently asked questions
What does “yearn” mean?
The word “yearn” means to have a deep, often wistful longing for something or someone. In plain terms, to want something so much it feels like an ache, often mixed with nostalgia or sadness.
How do you pronounce “yearn”?
“Yearn” is pronounced yurn (/jɝn/ in IPA).
How do you use “yearn” in a sentence?
Here is “yearn” used in a sentence: “She yearned to see her family again after years abroad.”
What part of speech is “yearn”?
“Yearn” is a verb.
Where does the word “yearn” come from?
The word “yearn” comes from Old English. From Old English ġeornan ("to desire, beg"), from a Germanic root meaning "eager" or "willing.".
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