yonks
Low (Informal)Informal, colloquial
Definition
Meaning
A very long time; an indefinitely long period.
Informally used to emphasize the considerable duration of time since an event occurred or to describe a lengthy period.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Used almost exclusively in negative or comparative contexts (e.g., 'I haven't seen you for yonks,' 'It's been yonks since...'). Expresses a subjective feeling of a long time, often with a tone of nostalgia or mild complaint.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Primarily a British and Commonwealth colloquialism. It is extremely rare in American English and would likely be misunderstood or sound affected.
Connotations
In the UK: friendly, informal, slightly old-fashioned or quaint. In the US: marked as foreign or an attempt to sound British.
Frequency
Common in UK casual speech, especially among older generations, but understood by most. Virtually nonexistent in US corpora.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
It's been [time expression] + yonks + since-clausehaven't/hasn't [past participle] + for yonksin yonksVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “for donkey's yonks (intensified blend)”
- “yonks ago”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Highly inappropriate; avoid entirely.
Academic
Not used.
Everyday
Suitable in very casual conversation among friends or family.
Technical
Not used.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adverb
British English
- I haven't been to the cinema yonks.
- He's been working there yonks.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I haven't seen Sarah for yonks!
- That toy is old. I had it yonks ago.
- It's been yonks since we had a proper holiday.
- I haven't eaten fish and chips in yonks.
- He claimed he hadn't read a newspaper in yonks, which was hard to believe.
- The pub hasn't changed a bit; it's like stepping back in time after yonks away.
- 'You're looking well!' 'Thanks, it's been an absolute yonks, hasn't it? We must catch up properly.'
- The political landscape has shifted dramatically in what seems like both a moment and yonks.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a long, drawn-out sound: "Yawwwn... ks." You yawn because you've been waiting for 'yonks'.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME IS A MEASURABLE SUBSTANCE (a long stretch/amount of it).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation like *'йонкс'*. It is an informal time period, similar to 'целая вечность' or 'сто лет'.
Common Mistakes
- Using it in positive, non-comparative statements (e.g., 'I will stay for yonks' is odd).
- Using it in formal writing.
- Using it in American contexts.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'yonks' MOST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is a genuine, though informal, word in British English, recorded in dictionaries since the mid-20th century.
It is not recommended. Most Americans will not be familiar with it, and it may cause confusion. Use 'ages' or 'forever' instead.
The etymology is uncertain but is widely considered to be a playful alteration or blend of 'years', 'months', and perhaps 'donkey's years' (another informal term for a long time).
It is treated as a plural noun in usage (e.g., 'for yonks'), though it is a mass noun and doesn't have a numerical form.