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

Democrats, licking their wounds, may be hankering for another chance to fight.

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It’s enough to make a reader hanker for a volume devoted to the director’s long working relationship with Head or for a filmography refracted through the actresses he obsessed over and glorified.

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The trend toward extravagance dovetailed nicely with the emergence of baby boomers and older Gen X–ers with more disposable income, the hankering for less-traveled international locales and a generational shift toward more creature comforts.

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Later in her career, she was, all too often, called upon to play "dragons" and "old bags" when she hankered after more glamorous roles.

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When markets eventually correct, New York Democrats will be hankering for another tax fix to feed their spending habits.

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Related Words

• crave 
• itch 
• yearn