yearn

verb \ ˈyərn \

Definition of yearn

intransitive verb

1 :to long persistently, wistfully, or sadly

yearns to make a difference

2 :to feel tenderness or compassion

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yearner

noun

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yearningly

play \ˈyər-niŋ-lē\ adverb

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Recent Examples of yearn from the Web

Rejoice, all ye who yearn to use Microsoft’s Xbox One controller wirelessly with your PC.

— hayden dingman, PCWorld, "Microsoft's Xbox controller wireless adapter for PCs isn't gigantic anymore," 2 Aug. 2017
Here’s the seemingly simple narrative frame: A father and daughter are separated and spend the next two decades both avoiding and yearning for reconnection.

— terry hong, The Christian Science Monitor, "'Refuge' is the story of an Iranian family in search of home," 26 July 2017
After Treme's Brenda Jacobs pleaded guilty to killing her husband -- for the second time in 26 years -- siblings of her slain spouse yearned to have one question answered.

— ken daley, NOLA.com, "'The hole in me will never close,' says Treme woman convicted of killing 2 husbands," 14 July 2017
However, the technology’s main users were bereft parents who had lost a child and yearned for an identical replacement.

— The Economist, "If human cloning happenedHow the story of human cloning could unfold," 13 July 2017
The newcomer Chassey Bennett plays Ariel, who yearns to join Eric in the human world but stirs Ursula to extreme jealousy.

— james hebert, sandiegouniontribune.com, "A Divine inspiration for sea witch in Moonlight's 'Mermaid'," 11 July 2017
Judge’s collection of majestic shots entranced a crowd yearning to see the two compete in the final round.

— gabriel baumgaertner, SI.com, "Aaron Judge's Home Run Derby showcase proves baseball has a new face," 11 July 2017
Guys like that don’t publicly yearn for a more glamorous role.

— andy benoit, The MMQB, "pic.twitter.com/GWuJvRTLPY," 10 July 2017
This makes fans yearn for fun — and, even more importantly, functioning — accessories.

— ryan parker, The Hollywood Reporter, "Spider-Man's Web-Shooter Toys Have Remained Consistently Cool for Decades," 30 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'yearn.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of yearn

Middle English yernen, from Old English giernan; akin to Old High German gerōn to desire, Latin hortari to urge, encourage, Greek chairein to rejoice

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year

Synonym Discussion of yearn

long, yearn, hanker, pine, hunger, thirst mean to have a strong desire for something. long implies a wishing with one's whole heart and often a striving to attain.

- longed for some rest

yearn suggests an eager, restless, or painful longing.

- yearned for a stage career

hanker suggests the uneasy promptings of unsatisfied appetite or desire.

- always hankering for money

pine implies a languishing or a fruitless longing for what is impossible.

- pined for a lost love

hunger and thirst imply an insistent or impatient craving or a compelling need.

- hungered for a business of his own
- thirsted for power

YEARN Defined for English Language Learners

yearn

verb

Definition of yearn for English Language Learners

: to feel a strong desire or wish for something or to do something

YEARN Defined for Kids

yearn

verb \ ˈyərn \

Definition of yearn for Students

yearned; yearning

:to desire very much

Synonym Discussion of yearn

yearn, long, and pine mean to desire something very much. yearn is used of a very eager desiring along with restless or painful feelings.

- They're yearning for freedom.

long is used when someone truly wants something and often tries very hard to get it.

- She longed to become a successful writer.

pine is used when someone is growing weak while continuing to want something that is impossible to get.

- She was pining away for her long lost friend.

Learn More about yearn

See words that rhyme with yearn Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for yearn Spanish Central: Translation of yearn Nglish: Translation of yearn for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of yearn for Arabic speakers

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yearn

Definition of yearn

yearner

yearningly

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YEARN Defined for English Language Learners

yearn

Definition of yearn for English Language Learners

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yearn

Definition of yearn for Students

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yearn

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yearner

yearningly

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