Yearn for: meaning, definitions and examples

Yearn for is used when someone has a deep, strong longing for something, often something that is difficult or impossible to obtain. It implies a sense of sadness or sorrow because of the unfulfilled desire.

• She yearned for her homeland, longing to return to her family and familiar surroundings.
• After months of separation, he yearned for the touch of his lover.

Crave is used for intense, insistent desires, often related to physical needs or strong emotions. It implies a very urgent need or strong wish, sometimes with an addictive quality.

• Pregnant women often crave unusual foods like pickles with ice cream.
• After his long workout, he craved a cold drink.

Desire can refer to a strong feeling of wanting something or someone. It can range from deep, emotional wants to more everyday wishes and is usually more neutral compared to 'yearn for' and 'crave'.

• He had a strong desire to succeed in his career.
• She expressed a desire to travel the world after graduation.

Pine for is used to describe a deep emotional longing, often related to missing someone or something distant or lost. It carries a tone of melancholy and wistfulness.

• He continued to pine for his high school sweetheart, years after they had parted.
• The dog sat by the door, pining for its absent owner.

Used to express a deep, often sorrowful longing for something, usually over a longer period.

• She yearned for the days when her children were small
• He yearned for acceptance within the group

Expresses a strong, prolonged desire for something, typically something not easily attainable.

• She longed for the warmth of the summer sun
• He longed for the comfort of home

Often used in a nostalgic sense, to express a longing for something nostalgic or out of reach.

• He hankered after the simple life of his childhood
• They hankered after freedom they once had

Usually describes a strong desire for something specific, often related to food or an addictive substance.

• I've been craving chocolate all day
• She craved attention from her peers