longing

noun

long·​ing ˈlȯŋ-iŋ 

: a strong desire especially for something unattainable : craving

longingly

ˈlȯŋ-iŋ-lē 

adverb

Synonyms of longing

• desire
• craving
• thirst
• urge
• hunger
• yearning

Examples of longing in a Sentence

They looked with longing toward freedom.

She cast a look of longing at the shop window.

She never told anyone about her secret longings.

Recent Examples on the Web

Anemoia is essentially an imagined memory, a longing built from movies, photographs, and secondhand stories rather than lived experience. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 14 Aug. 2026

Questions around beauty and longing recur, as do keywords (such as ‘password’), names, references and scenic features, but what fascinated me most is that in principle each episode could be read as a little patchy universe on its own. — Literary Hub, 11 Aug. 2026

Faydra explores the impossibility of reconciling logic and longing — especially for a woman unwilling to deny desire. — Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 10 Aug. 2026

Humans have speculated about eternal life since ancient times, Gershwin said, and the longing is close to universal. — Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 6 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for longing

• thronging
• belonging
• prolonging

Kids Definition

longing

noun

long·​ing ˈlȯŋ-iŋ 

: an eager desire : craving

longingly

-iŋ-lē 

adverb