How to pronounce yearn
Say it like YURN. Yearn is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce yearn. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- YURN
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Yearn pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- YURNSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
American vs British pronunciation of yearn
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: YURN.
What does yearn mean?
- To have a strong desire for something or to do something; to long for or to do something.“All I yearn for is a simple life.”
- To long for something in the past with melancholy or nostalgia.
- Of music, words, etc.: to express strong desire or longing.
- Of milk: to curdle, especially in the cheesemaking process.
- Of cheese: to be made from curdled milk.
- To curdle (milk), especially in the cheesemaking process.
- A strong desire or longing; a yearning, a yen.
Where does yearn come from?
The noun is derived from the verb.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with yearn
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of yearn.
Questions about saying yearn
How do you pronounce yearn?
Say YURN. The American pronunciation is /jɝn/. In British English it is /jɜːn/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in yearn?
Yearn is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: YURN.
Is yearn pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /jɜːn/ (YURN).