Longingly

Part of speech: adverb

Pronunciation: /ˈlɒŋɪŋli/

Definitions

1. In a manner that conveys a deep sense of yearning and desire for something or someone that is not present
2. In a way that expresses an intense emotional wish or longing for something unattainable or distant
3. Expressing a deep emotional craving or devotion toward something or someone that is absent or far away

Etymology: "Longingly" is a simple formation: the adjective "longing" with the suffix "-ly," which turns an adjective into an adverb of manner. The suffix has a longer lineage than the base word. It descends from a Proto-Germanic word meaning "body" or "form," which took on the sense "like" or "having the appearance of" when used as a suffix. So "longingly" literally means "in a longing-like way." The base word "longing" comes from the verb "long," which goes back to Old English and is related to the idea of desiring something persistently. The adjective "longing" built on that verb, and adding "-ly" gave the adverb its present shape. The suffix itself was already in use in Old English as "-līċe," which later softened into the Middle English "-ly" and then the modern form.

Synonyms: wistfully, yearningly, desirously, eagerly, long-sufferingly

Antonyms: dispassionately, indifferently, apathetically, unemotionally, coldly