What does longingly mean?
Longingly is an adverb that describes an expression or manner of deep, often affectionate yearning. It suggests not merely wishing for something, but looking, speaking, or acting with a tender awareness of what is absent. The word is especially associated with romantic or nostalgic longing: a person may look longingly at a departing loved one, speak longingly about a distant place, or wait longingly for news. Its emotional force is stronger and more expressive than that of simply saying “with longing.” In ordinary conversation, people may choose “wistfully” or “yearningly” when they want to convey the same feeling. Longingly is therefore best used in literary, poetic, or strongly narrative contexts, where its nostalgic and affectionate associations can be fully appreciated.
adverbIn a manner that expresses a strong feeling of longing or yearning. It describes an emotional attitude of tender, intense, or affectionate desire for someone or something absent.
- In a way that expresses intense or affectionate desire for someone or something absent or not yet obtained.
"She looked longingly toward the empty road, hoping her brother would return."
"The child looked longingly at the shop window, hoping to see the toy she had asked for."
"He spoke longingly of the summers he had spent with his grandmother."
Longingly captures the ache of wanting something or someone with tender, unmistakable devotion.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does longingly come from?
The adverb longingly was formed in the 19th century from the noun longing, using the adverbial suffix -ly. The noun longing derives from long in the older sense of “to desire strongly,” and ultimately from the Germanic and Indo-European roots associated with desire or attachment. The related English words long, prolong, elongate, and longitudinal belong to the same broad family of forms connected with the idea of length or extension.
Related word forms
How longingly is actually used
Longingly is literary and emotive rather than everyday. It is especially common in descriptions of longing for a person, a former time, or an unattained goal.
Easily confused with longingly
Longing is the noun naming the feeling of desire, while longingly is an adverb describing how someone acts because of that feeling.
Longingly expresses emotional yearning, whereas lasting refers to something that continues for a long time.