hankering

[ hang-ker-ing ]

/ ˈhæŋ kər ɪŋ /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR hankering ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a longing; craving.

Nearby words

Origin of hankering

First recorded in 1655–65; hanker + -ing¹

SYNONYMS FOR hankering

desire, need, yearning, hunger, yen, thirst.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR hankering ON THESAURUS.COM

Related formshan·ker·ing·ly, adverb

hanker

[ hang-ker ]

/ ˈhæŋ kər /

verb (used without object)

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

Origin of hanker

1595–1605; < early Dutch dialect hankeren (cognate with Dutch hunkeren), frequentative of hangen to hang

SYNONYMS FOR hanker

See yearn.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR hanker ON THESAURUS.COM

Related formshan·ker·er, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for hankering

Some would no doubt keep dancing as they waited for the L train, hankering for the next episode of Morning Gloryville.
The Drug-Free Breakfast Rave Is New York’s Latest Exercise Trend|Jessica Burdon|May 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Indeed, this is not the kind of shop that would appeal to the 50-something woman with a hankering for flash and sizzle.
Fashion of a Certain Age New Website Halsbrook.com Caters to Mature Shoppers|Robin Givhan|November 4, 2012|DAILY BEAST
But Israelis and Palestinians don't vote in U.S. elections, whether they're hankering for peace or not.
What's This Jerusalem Flap All About?|Ali Gharib|September 6, 2012|DAILY BEAST
And Betsy grew hot at the mere idea of my hankering after a miller's affairs, as she very rudely expressed it.
Erema|R. D. Blackmore

She is also, I should imagine, hankering after the fleshpots.
Jacob's Ladder|E. Phillips Oppenheim
"I don't know of any one specially that's hankering for railroad-lines round here," said he.
The Rainy Day Railroad War|Holman Day
Gave graphic description of his hanging about Holyrood Palace hankering after admission.
Punch, Or The London Charivari, Vol. 100, April 18, 1891|Various
I wished at times that the hankering might have been more mutual.
Remarks|Bill Nye

British Dictionary definitions for hankering

hanker

/ (ˈhæŋkə) /

verb

(foll by for, after, or an infinitive) to have a yearning (for something or to do something)

Derived Formshankering, noun

Word Origin for hanker

C17: probably from Dutch dialect hankeren

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for hankering

hankering

"mental craving," 1660s, see hanker.

hanker

c.1600, of unknown origin, probably from Flemish hankeren, related to Dutch hunkeren "to hanker," of unknown origin; perhaps an intensive of Middle Dutch hangen "to hang" (see hang (v.)). If so, the notion is of "lingering about" with longing or craving. Related: Hankered; hankering.