longingly
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adverb: * With a strong feeling of desire or yearning: "Longingly" describes the manner of looking at, thinking about, or speaking of something that is deeply wanted but is absent, distant, or unattainable.
Usage
The adverb "longingly" is used to modify a verb (often a verb of seeing, thinking, or speaking) to convey intense, wistful desire. It describes how an action is performed. * It typically follows the verb it modifies (e.g., gaze longingly, stare longingly). * It can also be placed at the beginning or end of a clause for emphasis.
Examples
- She looked longingly at the chocolate cake in the bakery window.
- He spoke longingly of his childhood home.
- The dog watched longingly as its owner ate dinner.
- Longingly, she remembered the summer they spent together.
Advanced Usage
- "to gaze/look/stare longingly": This is a very common collocation, emphasizing a fixed, desirous look.
- He gazed longingly at the sports car he could not afford.
- Used with verbs of recollection or speech: Indicates that the memory or topic is cherished and missed.
- He often talked longingly about his years as a sailor.
Variants and Related Words
- Longing (n): A strong, persistent desire or wish.
- She felt a deep longing for adventure.
- Longing (adj): Expressing or filled with desire.
- He gave her a longing look.
- Yearningly (adv): A close synonym, meaning with profound longing. (Note: "yearningly" and "longingly" are often interchangeable).
Synonyms
- Wistfully: In a manner showing vague, thoughtful, and often sad longing.
- Yearningly: With an intense, often passionate desire.
- Wishfully: In a manner expressing a hope or desire.
Antonyms
- Indifferently: Without interest or concern.
- Apathetically: Without feeling or enthusiasm.
- Disdainfully: With contempt or scorn.
Adverb
- in a yearning manner
- he spent the rest of the act gazing longingly over my right shoulder at the illuminated word `Exit'