How to pronounce yearning
Say it like YUR-ning. Yearning has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (YUR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce yearning. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- YUR
- ning
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Yearning pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- YURSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
- ningKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of yearning
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: YUR-ning.
What does yearning mean?
- A wistful or melancholy longing.“She had a yearning to see her long-lost sister again.”
- present participle and gerund of yearn How to pronounce yearn
Where does yearning come from?
From Middle English yerning, from Old English ġierning, ġierninge.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with yearning
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of yearning.
Questions about saying yearning
How do you pronounce yearning?
Say YUR-ning. The American pronunciation is /ˈjɝnɪŋ/. In British English it is /ˈjɜːnɪŋ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in yearning?
Yearning has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (YUR). Broken into parts: YUR · ning.
Is yearning 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 /ˈjɜːnɪŋ/ (YUR-ning).