yearn

verb \ ˈyərn \

Updated on: 26 May 2018

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

—

yearningly

play \ˈyər-niŋ-lē\ adverb

See yearn defined for English-language learners

See yearn defined for kids

Recent Examples of yearn from the Web

Two questioned, roller coaster campaigns yearned for one last victory to be salvaged.

— juan pimiento, chicagotribune.com, "Chelsea win the FA Cup, three icons say goodbye and the best of the soccer weekend," 20 May 2018
Locke yearned for something solid: a home for black art, somewhere to nourish, protect, refine, and control it.

— tobi haslett, The New Yorker, "The Man Who Led the Harlem Renaissance—and His Hidden Hungers," 11 May 2018
Tear down those childhood bedrooms and reclaim the extra closet space you’ve always yearned for.

— valerie strauss, Washington Post, "Ronan Farrow (who started college at age 11) tells students how he ‘fell apart’ while pursuing Harvey Weinstein story," 8 May 2018
Tear down those childhood bedrooms and reclaim the extra closet space you’ve always yearned for.

— jamie ducharme, Time, "'Trust That Inner Voice.' Read Ronan Farrow's Emotional Commencement Speech at Loyola Marymount," 6 May 2018
So one is held captive by comforting things, and yearns for terrible ones?

— peter pomerantsev, New York Times, "What Trained Bears Can Teach Us About Formerly Authoritarian Countries," 3 May 2018
The return of Porter, a series regular evicted in characteristically spectacular fashion, is less a function of reality-television tropes than the simple fact that Trump is yearning for friendly faces as his circle of trust shrinks.

— isobel thompson, The Hive, "Trump Eyes Accused Wife-Beater Rob Porter for a Late-Season Return," 27 Mar. 2018
Smith begins to settle into the rhythms of adulthood yet yearns for something beyond her Brooklyn existence of coffee shops, food co-ops and runs in Prospect Park.

— s. kirk walsh, San Francisco Chronicle, "‘The Art of Vanishing: A Memoir of Wanderlust,’ by Laura Smith," 22 Mar. 2018
Amid all the chaos, Melania is yearning for the peace and simplicity of her pre-White House life.

— tierney mcafee, PEOPLE.com, "Melania Trump 'Hates This 24/7 Tornado' of Life in Her Husband’s White House, Source Says," 21 Mar. 2018

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

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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 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

Recent Examples of yearn from the Web

Origin and Etymology of yearn

Synonym Discussion of yearn

YEARN Defined for English Language Learners

yearn

Definition of yearn for English Language Learners

YEARN Defined for Kids

yearn

Definition of yearn for Students

Synonym Discussion of yearn

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yearner

yearningly

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Origin and Etymology of yearn

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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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