hankering
/hæpniɳ/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: A persistent, often somewhat nostalgic or wistful, desire or craving for something specific or to do something specific.
Usage
The word "hankering" is used to describe a strong, sometimes slightly sentimental, longing that is not easily dismissed. It often implies a desire for something familiar, comforting, or from the past. It is a countable noun and is typically followed by the preposition "for" or the infinitive "to do" something.
Examples
- I have a hankering for my grandmother's apple pie.
- He felt a sudden hankering to visit his old hometown.
- She couldn't explain the hankering for adventure that came over her.
Advanced Usage
- "To have a hankering after": A slightly less common but acceptable alternative to "for," carrying the same meaning.
- He had a hankering after the simple life he once knew.
Variants and Related Words
- Hanker (verb): To feel a strong desire.
- He hankered for a life of travel.
Synonyms
- Yearning: A deep, often melancholic longing.
- Craving: An intense, urgent desire, often for something tangible.
- Longing: A persistent, earnest desire.
- Pining: A longing marked by sadness or loss.
Antonyms
- Aversion: A strong dislike or disinclination.
- Indifference: Lack of interest, concern, or feeling.
- Repulsion: A feeling of intense distaste or disgust.
Noun
- a yearning for something or to do something