hanker

[hang-ker]

verb (used without object)

1. to have a restless or incessant longing (often followed by after, for, or an infinitive).

hanker

/ ˈhæŋkə /

verb

1. to have a yearning (for something or to do something)

Other Word Forms

• hankerer noun
• hankering noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of hanker¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; from early Dutch dialect hankeren (cognate with Dutch hunkeren ), frequentative of hangen “to hang”; hang

Word History and Origins

Origin of hanker¹

C17: probably from Dutch dialect hankeren

Synonym Study

See yearn.

Example Sentences

Let’s hope he doesn’t get a hankering for a Best Actor Oscar, or he might sign an executive order mandating an “emergency” tax of $100 per movie ticket.

From Salon

There are people who have a hankering for high arches or for feet covered in lotion.

From Salon

He had always had a hankering after driving for Ferrari and he has a close relationship with their team boss Frederic Vasseur, which dates back 20 years to their time in the junior categories together.

From BBC

It's not clear any party is hankering after an early test of public opinion.

From BBC

Not that there is much hankering for the "halcyon" days of Tory levelling up.

From BBC

Related Words

• crave 
• itch 
• yearn