longing

[ lawng-ing, long- ]

noun

1. strong, persistent desire or craving, especially for something unattainable or distant:

   filled with longing for home.

   Synonyms: aspiration

   Antonyms: apathy

2. an instance of this:

   a sudden longing to see old friends.

adjective

1. having or characterized by persistent or earnest desire:

   a longing look.

   Synonyms: yearning, desirous

longing

/ ˈlɒŋɪŋ /

noun

1. a prolonged unfulfilled desire or need

adjective

1. having or showing desire or need

   a longing look

Derived Forms

• ˈlongingly, adverb

Other Words From

• longing·ly adverb
• longing·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of longing¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English; Old English langung; equivalent to long ² + -ing ¹

Synonym Study

See desire.

Example Sentences

Law professor sues George Mason University, challenging covid vaccine mandatePervading everything is a weariness with the virus, and a longing for more stable, certain times.

From Washington Post

It was an unrealistic burden to place on statistics, but the longing for a mathematical seal of approval burned hot.

From Science News

We come to understand that the alternating flashes of love, rage, longing and frustration Fanny experiences in the course of her obsession with Linda are echoes of what she feels for the mother who so remorselessly abandoned her.

From Time

I preferred not to try so hard so that the longing did not dampen my spirits too much and not to end up with my soul rotten by depression and my eyes lost in memories.

From Washington Blade

Each conversation was a slam to my longings, a slap that plunged me deeper into a sea of ​​despair.

From Washington Blade

In that light, some Cubans might find themselves longing for the good old, bad old days.

From The Daily Beast

That is to say, there is much longing in the hearts of Americans.

From The Daily Beast

It was about the hope and longing for redemption and reconciliation that lies somewhere within each of us.

From The Daily Beast

The convent, obviously, but also the court—and even her unrequited longing for the elusive lady of her sonnets.

From The Daily Beast

It requires him to let go of Lori and his longing for the past.

From The Daily Beast

Feeling secure regarding their happiness and welfare, she did not miss them except with an occasional intense longing.

From Project Gutenberg

But at intervals I still felt an inexpressible longing to see or hear from my mother.

From Project Gutenberg

There was a longing light in his eyes and a look of appeal whenever our glances met.

From Project Gutenberg

The little glimpse of domestic harmony which had been offered her, gave her no regret, no longing.

From Project Gutenberg

The longing desire to hear the whole of the letter, might be read in every feature of her expressive face.

From Project Gutenberg