Yearning: quick facts
Yearning is an intense, heartfelt longing for something deeply desired, often something difficult to attain. It is more active and striving than gentle longing, carrying a forward pull toward a wished-for person,…
Category
Complex & secondary emotions
Valence
Negative
Emotion family / blend
Longing
Typical triggers
Deep desires, unfulfilled dreams, distant goals, what one lacks
How it's expressed
Reaching posture, intent faraway gaze, sighing, earnest tone
Sources: American Psychological Association — APA Dictionary: emotion; Greater Good Science Center, UC Berkeley — Emotions; Plutchik's Wheel of Emotions (Robert Plutchik) — overview. Educational information only — not medical or psychological advice. See our sources & fact-check policy.