yearn

yearn for (someone or something)

To have an intense, deep-seated longing or desire for someone or something, especially in a slightly melancholy capacity. I grew up in a tiny town in Kansas, yearning for the day I'd get a chance to move somewhere exciting like New York or L.A. All the girls in my class yearned for him, thinking he was this mysterious, brooding hunk, but he was actually kind of an awkward dork when you got to know him.

See also: for, yearn

yearn over (someone or something)

To have a strong, tender, deep-seated sympathy for someone or something. I don't know why you insist on going to the animal shelters to yearn over the stray dogs and cats when you know we're not going to take one home with us. The whole world yearned over the country following the horrible attacks.

See also: over, yearn

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

yearn for someone or something

to long for someone or something; to desire someone or something strongly. Sam sat alone in his room, yearning for Mary. Mary yearned for a big bowl of high-butterfat ice cream.

See also: for, yearn

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

yearn for

v.

To have a strong, often melancholy desire for someone or something: The sailors out at sea yearned for their families.

See also: for, yearn

yearn over

v.

To feel deep pity, sympathy, or tenderness for someone or something: The entire nation yearned over the lives lost in the accident.

See also: over, yearn

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs. Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.