Cambridge Dictionaries online Cambridge Dictionaries online

The most popular online dictionary and thesaurus for learners of English

  

yearn

verb [I]
 
 
/jɜːn/ US  /jɝːn/

Definition

C2 to wish very strongly, especially for something that you cannot have or something that is very difficult to have: Despite his great commercial success he still yearns for critical approval. [+ to infinitive] Sometimes I just yearn to be alone.Wanting thingsHoping and hopefulness
(Definition of yearn verb from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

“yearn” in other dictionaries

Word of the Day

ride (out) the storm

to manage not to be destroyed, harmed or permanently affected by the difficult situation you...

Word of the Day

Blog

Read our blog about how the English language behaves.

Learn More

New Words

Find words and meanings that have just started to be used in English, and let us know what you think of them.

Learn More