yen
1[ yen ]
/ yɛn /
noun, plural yen.
an aluminum coin and monetary unit of Japan, equal to 100 sen or 1000 rin. Symbol: ¥; Abbreviation: Y
a former silver coin of Japan.
Nearby words
yeltsin, boris, yemen, yemeni, yemenite, yemmer, yen, yen hsi-shan, yenakiyevo, yenan, yenisei, yenisei ostyak
Origin of yen
1Definition for yen (2 of 2)
yen
2[ yen ]
/ yɛn /
noun
a desire or craving: I had a yen for apple pie.
verb (used without object), yenned, yen·ning.
to have a craving; yearn.
Origin of yen
21905–10, Americanism; probably < dialectal Chinese (OAGuangdong) yáhn, akin to Chinese yǐn craving, addiction
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for yen
British Dictionary definitions for yen (1 of 2)
yen
1/ (jɛn) /
noun plural yen
the standard monetary unit of Japan, (notionally) divided into 100 sen
Word Origin for yen
C19: from Japanese en, from Chinese yüan circular object, dollar
British Dictionary definitions for yen (2 of 2)
yen
2/ (jɛn) informal /
noun
a passionate, ardent, or intense longing or desire
verb yens, yenning or yenned
(intr) to yearn
Word Origin for yen
perhaps from Chinese (Cantonese) yăn a craving, addiction
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Idioms and Phrases with yen
yen
see have a yen for.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
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