Longingly: meaning, definitions and examples

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longingly

[ˈlɔːŋɪŋli ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adverb}

adverb describing an action

In a longing or yearning manner; with a strong desire or craving for something.

Synonyms

cravingly, wistfully, yearningly.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
longingly	Used when someone is looking at or thinking about something they deeply desire but cannot have at the moment. It often conveys a sense of deep emotion and sometimes sadness. She gazed longingly at the old photographs, remembering the good times. He looked longingly at the dessert menu, trying hard to stick to his diet.
yearningly	Used to express a deep, intense longing for something, with a strong emotional component. It often suggests an ongoing, persistent desire. She looked yearningly at the travel brochures, dreaming of an overseas adventure. He spoke yearningly of his desire to see his family again soon.
wistfully	Used when someone is thinking about something they want or miss, with a gentle sadness or nostalgia. It often involves reflecting on something that is gone or unattainable. He smiled wistfully, remembering the carefree days of his youth. She spoke wistfully about her time living in Italy, wishing she could go back.
cravingly	Used to describe a strong, almost overwhelming desire, often for something related to immediate pleasure or satisfaction, like food or an addictive habit. After a long day at work, he stared cravingly at the pizza on the kitchen table. She looked cravingly at the chocolate bar, unable to resist any longer.

Examples of usage

She looked longingly at the delicious cake.
He gazed longingly into her eyes.
I longingly reached out for the book on the top shelf.

^{Context #2 | Adverb}

adverb describing an emotion

Expressing a strong desire or yearning for something; with intense longing.

Synonyms

cravingly, wistfully, yearningly.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
longingly	Used when expressing a strong desire or wish for something, often with an emotional or sentimental tone. It's commonly applied to describe a deep, often unspoken, yearning. She looked longingly at the photo of her childhood home. He gazed longingly at the couple, wishing he had someone to share his life with.
yearningly	Appropriate for expressing a deep, often melancholic desire for something difficult or impossible to obtain. It carries a sense of longing with a hint of sorrow. He stared yearningly at the distant mountains, wishing he could escape to their serene beauty. She sighed yearningly as she watched the sunset, longing for the peace it seemed to promise.
wistfully	Used when one is feeling a nostalgic or regretful longing, often reflecting on the past with a mix of sadness and desire. It's especially suitable for memories and thoughts of what could have been. He looked wistfully at his old school, remembering the carefree days of youth. She smiled wistfully, thinking about her childhood summers at the beach.
cravingly	Best applied in situations where there is an intense and urgent need or hunger for something, usually associated with food, addiction, or strong desires. She spoke cravingly about the chocolate cake, unable to resist its temptation. After a long workout, he reached cravingly for a bottle of water.

Examples of usage

She spoke longingly of her childhood home.
He longingly reminisced about the good old days.
They longingly dreamed of traveling the world together.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from 'long', which means to have a desire or yearning, plus the suffix '-ly', which makes it an adverb.
The word has been used in English since the late 14th century, capturing the essence of yearning in literature and speech.

Literature

Many poets and writers use this word to express deep emotions of nostalgia, love, or desire, creating a strong emotional connection with readers.
Famous romantic literature often explores themes of longing, illustrating characters’ desires through vivid imagery and heartfelt language.

Psychology

Longing can be linked to emotional states like nostalgia, often triggering memories of the past or lost relationships.
Psychological studies suggest that experiencing longing can lead to increased motivation, pushing individuals to seek out what they desire.

Cultural Significance

In many cultures, longing is often tied to folklore and storytelling, exploring themes of distance and the human condition's inherent desire for connection.
Music and film frequently capture this sentiment, portraying characters who long for romance, home, or lost time, resonating with audiences universally.

Pop Culture

Songs about longing, such as 'I Will Always Love You', often connect with listeners, tapping into universal feelings of love and loss.
Movies often depict longing through visual cues, such as a character gazing longingly out of a window, symbolizing unfulfilled desires.

Translations

Translations of the word "longingly" in other languages:

🇵🇹 com anseio

com saudade
com desejo

🇮🇳 लालसा से

🇩🇪 sehnsüchtig

🇮🇩 dengan rindu

🇺🇦 з тугою

🇵🇱 z tęsknotą

🇯🇵 切望して (せつぼうして)

🇫🇷 avec nostalgie

🇪🇸 con anhelo

🇹🇷 özlemle

🇰🇷 그리워하며

🇸🇦 بشوق

🇨🇿 toužebně

🇸🇰 túžobne

🇨🇳 渴望地 (kěwàng de)

🇸🇮 hrepeneče

🇮🇸 með löngun

🇰🇿 сағынышпен

🇬🇪 მოწყენით

🇦🇿 həsrətlə

🇲🇽 con anhelo

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #27,986, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.

...
27983 bartering
27984 underestimating
27985 unquenchable
27986 longingly
27987 glum
27988 meanly
27989 scribble
...