longing

[lawng-ing, long-]

noun

strong, persistent desire or craving, especially for something unattainable or distant: filled with longing for home.
an instance of this: a sudden longing to see old friends.

adjective

having or characterized by persistent or earnest desire: a longing look.

Origin of longing

before 1000; Middle English; Old English langung; see long², -ing¹

Related formslong·ing·ly, adverblong·ing·ness, noun

Synonyms for longing

1. aspiration. 3. desirous, yearning.

Synonym study

1. See desire.

Antonyms for longing

1. apathy.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for longingness

Contemporary Examples of longingness

So how does this longingness for acceptance and attention by a male figure a true feminist make?
Miss Piggy Leans In
Erin Cunningham
March 23, 2014

British Dictionary definitions for longingness

longing

noun

a prolonged unfulfilled desire or need

adjective

having or showing desire or needa longing look

Derived Formslongingly, adverb

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 longingness

longing

"yearning, desire," Old English langung "longing, weariness, sadness, dejection," from long (v.). Related: Longingly.