yearn
To feel a strong, deep longing for something.
Word facts
Definition
To yearn means to have a strong, deep desire for something you cannot easily have or that feels distant. It carries a sense of longing and emotional intensity.
Usage: Yearn is more emotional and intense than want or desire. It implies something longed for over time, often something out of reach. Pine has a similar tone — pining is slow, painful longing.
Example sentences
She yearned to return to the city she had grown up in.
He yearned for a simpler life after years of constant travel.
The music expressed a deep yearning for connection.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word family
From Old English giernan ('to desire, yearn for'), related to georn ('eager, desirous'). An ancient word for deep longing.
Yearn rhymes with burn — and a deep yearning can feel like a burning in the chest.
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FAQ
Questions people ask
What is the noun form of yearn?
Yearning. Example: He felt a deep yearning for home.
What is the difference between yearn and desire?
Desire is broader and can be mild. Yearn is more intense and emotional — it implies a deep longing, often for something hard to reach.