Hankered: meaning, definitions and examples

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hankered

 

[ ˈhæŋ.kɚd ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

desire strongly

Hankered means to have a strong desire or craving for something. This term often implies an intense longing or yearning that may not be fulfilled. People use this word to express a wish or an emotional need that is particularly robust. It conveys a sense of restlessness or dissatisfaction due to this unfulfilled desire.

Synonyms

craved, desired, longed, yearned.

Examples of usage

  • She hankered for her hometown after years of living abroad.
  • He hankered to travel the world after reading adventure books.
  • After the long winter, they hankered for the warmth of the sun.

Translations

Translations of the word "hankered" in other languages:

🇵🇹 desejado

🇮🇳 इच्छा की

🇩🇪 verlangen

🇮🇩 berkeinginan

🇺🇦 прагнути

🇵🇱 pragnąć

🇯🇵 欲する

🇫🇷 désirer

🇪🇸 desear

🇹🇷 istekli olmak

🇰🇷 갈망하다

🇸🇦 رغب في

🇨🇿 toužit

🇸🇰 túžiť

🇨🇳 渴望

🇸🇮 željeti

🇮🇸 langar

🇰🇿 қалауға

🇬🇪 მსურდა

🇦🇿 istəmək

🇲🇽 desear

Etymology

The term 'hankered' originates from the late 1800s in the United States, derived from the word 'hanker', which is believed to have Germanic roots. It reflects a strong desire or inclination towards something. The word has evolved over time, becoming more popular in American English, particularly in informal contexts. It is often associated with rural or colloquial speech, emphasizing a sort of nostalgic longing or craving. The usage of 'hanker' can be traced back to the Scots language, where it meant to have a strong desire, aligning closely with its current connotation.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #36,799, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.