hankering
A stubborn craving you can't quite shake.
Also called hankerin'.
Updated September 24, 2026
hankering pronunciation
/HANG-ker-in/
Meaning
A hankering is that itch for something specific: fried okra, a cold beer, a ride down a gravel road. It is stronger than a mild want and lighter than desperate need. In rural Southern talk you often hear it as "got a hankering for" or "hankerin' to," with the g dropped like most -ing endings on the porch.
How folks use it
- “I got a hankering for biscuits and gravy this morning.”
- “He's had a hankering to go fishin' ever since the weather warmed up.”
Origin and etymology
From the verb hanker, around the early 1600s. Probably related to Dutch or Flemish words for longing, and tied to the idea of hanging around waiting for what you want. The noun hankering settled hard into Southern and Appalachian speech, where folks still use it for food cravings and restless urges alike.
Frequently asked questions
Is a hankering only about food?
No. Food is the common case, but you can have a hankering to do something too.