What does hankering mean?
Hankering means a strong or persistent desire, often for something that is absent, difficult to obtain, or vividly remembered. The expression 'a hankering for' is especially common: a person may have a hankering for home, travel, a particular food, a former career, or another person. As a verb, 'hankering' is more informal and means to feel such a desire, usually followed by 'for' or 'to' plus an infinitive. The word is used in both British and American English. It conveys not merely a passing preference but an urge that remains present and difficult to dismiss. Although related to more general words such as 'desire' and 'craving', 'hankering' often has a wistful or affectionate quality, suggesting longing rather than immediate need. It is especially useful when describing an attachment that persists despite distance, time, or practical obstacles.
A strong or persistent desire for a person, thing, experience, or course of action.
"His hankering for the sea returned as soon as he saw the boats in the harbor."
Usually used with 'for' and an object; it can be countable or uncountable.
To have or feel a strong or persistent desire for something.
"They were hankering for a winter holiday by the coast."
Informal and less common than the noun; usually followed by 'for' or 'to' plus an infinitive.
Used when referring to separate persistent desires, as in 'He had several hankerings for a different life.'
"Her hankerings for distant places never quite disappeared."
A hankering is a desire that lingers: it may be satisfied for a moment, but it often returns with the same question and the same longing.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
How hankering is actually used
The noun is common in informal and conversational English as well as in more formal writing. It is often used with 'for' followed by a noun or with 'to' followed by an infinitive. As a countable noun, it normally takes 'a' and has the plural 'hankerings'; it can also be used uncountably.