What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
yearnfully
Example
She looked at the cake yearnfully, wishing she could have a slice. [yearnfully: adverb]
Example
He yearned for her touch, longing to be close to her. [yearned: past tense verb]
wistfully
Example
She looked wistfully at the old photo album, remembering the good times. [wistfully: adverb]
Example
He spoke wistfully of his childhood, recalling the memories with fondness. [wistfully: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Wistfully is more commonly used than yearnfully in everyday language. Wistfully is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while yearnfully is less common and more formal, often used in literature or formal writing.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between yearnfully and wistfully?
While wistfully is typically associated with an informal and casual tone, yearnfully is more formal and less commonly used in everyday language.