verb

yearn

yurn

verb

To have a deep, often wistful longing for something or someone.

"She yearned to see her family again after years abroad."

"He yearned for the simpler life he'd left behind."

How to Use Yearn

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo want something so much it feels like an ache, often mixed with nostalgia or sadness.

Easily confused with

yawn →

Common pairings

yearn for yearn to do something

Word Forms

yearned past tense, yearnt past tense, yearned past tense, yearn plural, yearned plural, yearnt plural, yearns plural, yearns singular, yearn singular, yearned singular, yearnt singular, yearnest singular, yearnedst singular, yearneth singular, yearns singular

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Can you complete this real example?

She _____ to see her family again after years abroad.

Etymology

From Old English ġeornan ("to desire, beg"), from a Germanic root meaning "eager" or "willing."

Rhymes for yearn

earn learn Hearn

See all rhymes for yearn →