yearning

word

Definition

A deep, strong feeling of wanting or longing for something that you cannot have or that is far away.

Usage & Nuances

'Yearning' is more intense and poetic than 'wanting' or 'desiring' and often expresses deep emotion. Used mostly in literary, emotional, or formal contexts; rarely in casual speech. Common with 'for': 'yearning for home', 'yearning for love.' Often suggests a sense of distance or impossibility.

Example Sentences

He felt a yearning to see his family again.

basic

Her yearning for adventure grew each year.

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There was a yearning in his eyes when he looked at the old photographs.

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Sometimes, a sudden yearning for childhood memories hits me.

natural

Despite years abroad, his yearning for his homeland never faded.

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That movie left me with a yearning for something more in life.

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