Yearnings: meaning, definitions and examples

Strong feelings of wanting something, often combined with sadness. Typically used when someone deeply desires something intangible or difficult to obtain.

• She had yearnings for a simpler life
• His yearnings for adventure never went away

Persistent and emotional desires, often for something unattainable or far off. It implies a sense of melancholy or nostalgia.

• He felt longings for his homeland
• The longings for a lost love can be haunting

Intense desires, often sudden and for something specific such as food or a substance. It usually implies a physical or psychological urge.

• Pregnant women often have strange food cravings
• His cravings for nicotine were hard to ignore

Strong wants or wishes, generally neutral in tone, and used in both physical and abstract contexts.

• Her desires to travel the world consumed her thoughts
• The desires for success can drive people to work harder

Used when expressing a strong, often emotional desire for something that one cannot easily obtain or achieve, possibly involving deep emotions or intensity.

• She had yearnings to travel the world and explore new cultures
• His yearnings for success drove him to work tirelessly

This is appropriate for describing a sentimental longing for the past, often with a focus on positive recollections and memories.

• Grandpa often spoke with nostalgia about his youth
• Listening to that old song filled her with nostalgia for her school days

Applied when describing an intense, sometimes painful desire for something or someone, often with a focus on an emotional or personal connection.

• After moving to a new city, he felt a deep longing for his old friends
• Her longing to see her family grew stronger each day

Best used when referring to excessive tenderness, sadness, or affection, which might sometimes be considered overly emotional or lacking in practicality.

• His sentimentality made him cry during every movie
• She kept her childhood toys out of pure sentimentality