longing
Americannoun
-
strong, persistent desire or craving, especially for something unattainable or distant.
filled with longing for home.
- Synonyms:
- aspiration
- Antonyms:
- apathy
-
an instance of this.
a sudden longing to see old friends.
adjective
noun
adjective
Related Words
See desire.
Other Word Forms
- longingly adverb
- longingness noun
Etymology
Origin of longing
First recorded before 1000; Middle English; Old English langung; equivalent to long 2 + -ing 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The one who wondered whether her body would ever cooperate with her longing.
From Slate • Mar. 29, 2026
The title takes its name from a folk song about longing and separation that is often dubbed South Korea's unofficial national anthem.
From Barron's • Mar. 21, 2026
A memory is unlocked in a pair of slouchy carpenter pants and delicate stacks of golden jewelry, and the longing for home is temporarily satiated.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 13, 2026
What follows is an affecting and funny drama of longing that features, of all things, a genetically engineered sheep whose poor health wins Marty’s sympathy.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 9, 2026
It was comforting to see that the whole household was longing for his return, but his purpose held firm.
From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
