Have a hankering is an idiom that means to have a strong desire or craving for something. It can be used to describe a longing for a physical object, such as food, or a more abstract concept, such as a feeling of nostalgia. The crossword solutions for this term are YEARN (5 letters), ACHE (4 letters), LONG (4 letters), and PINE (4 letters). YEARN implies a deep, emotional longing, while ACHE suggests a physical or emotional pain associated with the desire. LONG and PINE both suggest a deep-seated longing for something that may not be attainable.