# yearning

/ˈjɝnɪŋ/ (US) · /jˈɜːnɪŋ/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/yearning
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

a very strong feeling of wanting something or someone that is far away or hard to get. It is deeper and more emotional than just wanting something.

For teachers: a persistent, intense, and often melancholy desire for something unattainable or distant. Frequently carries a nostalgic or spiritual connotation.

## Examples

- She felt a deep yearning for her childhood home.
- After years of living in the crowded city, he felt a constant yearning for the quiet of the countryside.
- The protagonist's journey is driven by a profound yearning for a sense of belonging that his fractured family history has always denied him.

## Usage notes

- Often followed by the preposition 'for' or an infinitive 'to' clause.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.