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
- 1
She yearned to return to the city she had grown up in.
- 2
He yearned for a simpler life after years of constant travel.
- 3
The music expressed a deep yearning for connection.
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.