What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
yearnful
Example
She looked at the old photo album with a yearnful expression on her face. [yearnful: adjective]
Example
He yearned to be reunited with his family after being away for so long. [yearned: past tense verb]
wistful
Example
She had a wistful smile on her face as she remembered her childhood. [wistful: adjective]
Example
He felt wistful as he watched the sunset, thinking about all the good times he had spent with his friends. [wistful: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Wistful is more commonly used than yearnful in everyday language. Wistful is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while yearnful is less common and is typically used in more poetic or literary contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between yearnful and wistful?
Both yearnful and wistful are associated with a formal and literary tone, but wistful is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
