Yearning Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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yearning

[ˈjɜːrnɪŋ ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

feeling

Yearning is a strong feeling of longing or desire for something, often something that is unattainable or out of reach. It is a deep emotional yearning for a person, place, or experience.

Synonyms

craving, desire, longing, pining.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
yearning	Use 'yearning' to describe a strong, often melancholic longing for something, typically something distant or unattainable. She had a deep yearning to visit her childhood home
longing	Use 'longing' to describe a persistent, often wistful longing for something typically out of reach or far away. It often has a sentimental or nostalgic feel. He felt a longing for the simple pleasures of his childhood
craving	Use 'craving' when referring to an intense and urgent desire, often for something specific like food or a particular experience. He had a craving for chocolate cake late at night
desire	Use 'desire' to refer to a strong feeling of wanting something or wishing for something to happen. It is a more neutral term and can be used in various contexts, including emotional, physical, or material wants. Her desire to succeed in her career was evident in everything she did
pining	Use 'pining' to describe suffering a decline or wasting away from deeply felt longing or desire, primarily for someone you miss or love. It often has an element of sadness or heartache. She was pining for her lost love, and it showed in her eyes

Examples of usage

I have a yearning for adventure and travel.
She felt a yearning for her homeland.
The yearning for love and connection is universal.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

action

To yearn is to have a strong desire or longing for something. It is an intense feeling of wanting something deeply.

Synonyms

crave, desire, long for, pine for.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
yearning	It is used when expressing a deep, often melancholic longing for something, especially for something unattainable or lost. She felt a deep yearning for the days when she was a child. John's yearning for travel grew stronger every passing day.
long for	This phrase is used when someone strongly wishes or wants something, typically involving deep emotional or physical yearning over time. She longs for the days when her family was all together. After years abroad, he longed for the sights and sounds of his homeland.
crave	It is used when describing a strong and intense desire, often for something specific or tangible like food, attention, or a particular experience. After dieting for weeks, he craved a piece of chocolate cake. She craves adventure and new experiences.
desire	This word is more versatile and can be used to indicate a strong feeling of wanting something or someone, often with a sense of purpose or intent. His desire to succeed motivated him to work hard. She has a strong desire to learn new languages.
pine for	This expression is often associated with mourning or deeply missing someone or something, usually with a sense of sadness or loss. Ever since she left, he has been pining for her. The old man pined for his youth.

Examples of usage

He yearns for her love and affection.
She yearned to see the world beyond her small town.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

Yearning can indicate an emotional need or unfulfilled desire, often connected to love or belonging.
Studies show that yearning can lead to creative expression, motivating individuals to write, paint, or create music.
Feeling a sense of yearning may enhance personal growth as it often encourages reflection and self-discovery.

Literature

This word often appears in romantic poetry, where it represents the longing for a loved one.
Classic works, such as Emily Dickinson's poetry, frequently explore themes of yearning and longing.
Yearning can serve as a significant plot device in novels, driving characters' motivations and desires.

Cultural References

Many songs revolve around the theme of yearning, expressing deep feelings of love and loss.
Movies often depict characters who yearn for something more, capturing the human experience of desire and longing.
Artworks frequently illustrate the concept of yearning through imagery that evokes emotion, like empty landscapes or solitary figures.

Origin of 'yearning'

Main points about word origin

The word comes from the Old English 'geornian,' which means to desire or crave.
It is related to the word 'earnest,' showing a serious and deep feeling towards what you desire.
The term has been used in poetry and literature for centuries, often expressing profound emotional states.

The word 'yearning' has its roots in the Old English word 'earnian', meaning 'desire'. Over time, it evolved to 'yerning' and eventually to 'yearning' in Middle English. The concept of yearning has been prevalent in literature and poetry, expressing the deep human longing for connection, love, and fulfillment.

See also: year, yearbook, yearly, yearn, yearned, years.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #13,152, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.

...
13149 troubling
13150 permanence
13151 brilliantly
13152 yearning
13153 bang
13154 apathy
13155 idolatry
...