yearning

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'yearning' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a strong feeling of desire or longing for something. For example: She had a deep yearning for the freedom to make her own choices.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Music

Travel

Books

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In Spain's case, our adherence to what was then the European Community was the culmination of a yearning by successive generations cut off from the possibility of joining the broader current of peace, democracy and progress that was flowing north of the Pyrenean border.

The Guardian

This is the kind of change that Nigeria has been yearning for.

The Guardian

There is too, a sense of yearning in the album, which includes a Johnny Cash-like ballad about the women's prison, Holloway Jail, and blues about never going "anywhere south of Delaware, never saw a Kentucky moon".

The Guardian - Music

Which is all well and good – that song is a classic – but Wood seems to have forgotten about 2013's two stone-cold Christmas bangers in the shape of Kelly Clarkson's warm hug in musical form Underneath the Tree, or Leona Lewis's yearning One More Sleep.

The Guardian - Music

What they have in common is that they are tapping into a nostalgic yearning to go back to basics.

The Guardian - Travel

Along with the standard politician's urge to be liked, there is, I think, a second yearning – the columnist's itch to be interesting.

The Guardian

But Barbara Castle fixed a deal, she managed a crisis: she didn't honour those women's yearning for respect as skilled women.

The Guardian

We became friends for many reasons – but perhaps one of the most striking connections is the mutual experience of yearning too long for a country built through the memories and idealised pictures painted by our parents.

The Guardian - Opinion

From 1 January next year, atheists yearning to slip on a woggle and embrace the self-reliant yet altruistic philosophy of the Scouts will find the organisation well prepared.

The Guardian

He tries to find his way back to the site of the crash, charting every step he takes, yearning for the family he left behind.

The Guardian - Books

As for potential candidates, their felled London giant Vince Cable has shown no sign of yearning to rise from the ashes of Twickenham.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "yearning" with evocative imagery to enhance the emotional impact of your writing. Describe the object of the yearning in vivid detail to create a more compelling narrative.

Common error

Avoid using "yearning" in everyday conversations or informal writing where simpler words like "wanting" or "wishing" would suffice. Using "yearning" in casual contexts can sound melodramatic or insincere.

Linguistic Context

The word "yearning" functions primarily as a noun, denoting a wistful or melancholy longing. It can also function as a verb, specifically as the present participle of "yearn". Ludwig confirms the versatile usage of "yearning" in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

15%

Books

9%

Less common in

Music

6%

Opinion

6%

Travel

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "yearning" is a powerful descriptor of deep emotional longing. According to Ludwig, it can function as both a noun and a verb, adding versatility to its usage. It appears "Very common" in various sources, particularly in News & Media, Formal & Business writing and Books. When using "yearning", consider its more formal tone; simpler alternatives might be better suited for casual conversations. Remember, the primary purpose of "yearning" is to express and evoke feelings of nostalgia, desire, and longing. As Ludwig AI states, the term is indeed correct and usable in written English, effectively capturing a strong feeling of desire or longing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

longing

This alternative directly replaces "yearning" with a very similar word, maintaining the same sense of wistful desire.

longing for

This phrase rephrases the query but it's mostly interchangeable.

pining

This emphasizes the sadness and melancholy associated with the longing.

aching

This conveys a deep emotional pain caused by the absence of something desired.

desire

This term shifts the focus slightly from wistful longing to a more active wanting of something.

hankering

This suggests a persistent and somewhat restless desire, often for something pleasurable.

a deep desire

This alternative emphasizes the depth of the feeling.

craving

This implies a stronger, almost uncontrollable desire, often for something specific.

a strong desire

This is a more explicit and less poetic way to express the feeling of "yearning".

wish

This is a milder form of "yearning", suggesting a hope rather than a deep longing.

FAQs

How can I use "yearning" in a sentence?

You can use "yearning" to describe a strong feeling of longing or desire. For example, "She felt a deep yearning for her homeland", or "The music evoked a sense of yearning for a simpler time".

What are some words similar to "yearning"?

Synonyms for "yearning" include "longing", "desire", "craving", and "pining". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "yearning" a formal or informal word?

"Yearning" is generally considered a more formal and literary word. While appropriate in many contexts, it might sound overly dramatic in casual conversation. Simpler alternatives like "wanting" or "wishing" may be more suitable for informal settings.

What's the difference between "yearning" and "wanting"?

"Wanting" is a general term for desiring something. "Yearning" implies a deeper, more emotional longing, often for something that is difficult or impossible to obtain. "Yearning" suggests a sense of wistfulness and sadness that "wanting" does not.