noun
Uncommon
yearning
YUR-nihng
Yearning (noun) means a deep, wistful longing for something. Example: “A yearning for home crept over him as winter set in.”
noun
1
A deep, wistful longing for something.
"A yearning for home crept over him as winter set in."
"She had a yearning to see her long-lost sister again."
How to use yearning
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA strong, often bittersweet desire for something out of reach.
Common pairings
a deep yearning
yearning for something
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like yearning.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- yearnings
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A _____ for home crept over him as winter set in.
Etymology
From Old English ġierning, the noun form of "yearn."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for yearning
See all rhymes for yearning →Frequently asked questions
What does “yearning” mean?
The word “yearning” means a deep, wistful longing for something. In plain terms, a strong, often bittersweet desire for something out of reach.
How do you pronounce “yearning”?
“Yearning” is pronounced YUR-nihng (/ˈjɝnɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “yearning” in a sentence?
Here is “yearning” used in a sentence: “A yearning for home crept over him as winter set in.”
What part of speech is “yearning”?
“Yearning” is a noun.
Where does the word “yearning” come from?
The word “yearning” comes from Old English. From Old English ġierning, the noun form of "yearn.".
Is “yearning” a common word?
“Yearning” is an uncommon word in modern English.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include yearning:
