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Dolefully: meaning, definitions and examples

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dolefully

 

[ ˈdoʊlfəli ]

Adverb
Context #1 | Adverb

expression of sadness

Dolefully is used to describe an action done in a sorrowful or mournful manner. It captures a deep sense of sadness that can be visualized in the body language or voice of the person performing the action. For instance, when someone speaks or behaves dolefully, they convey a heavy heart, reflecting their feelings of loss or disappointment. It's often used in literary contexts to evoke empathy from the audience.

Synonyms

glumly, mournfully, sadly, sorrowfully

Examples of usage

  • She looked dolefully at the empty playground.
  • He spoke dolefully about the loss of his friend.
  • The dog gazed up at her dolefully, begging for attention.

Translations

Translations of the word "dolefully" in other languages:

🇵🇹 tristemente

🇮🇳 दुखी तरीके से

🇩🇪 traurig

🇮🇩 dengan sedih

🇺🇦 сумно

🇵🇱 smutnie

🇯🇵 悲しそうに (kanashisō ni)

🇫🇷 tristement

🇪🇸 tristemente

🇹🇷 üzüntüyle

🇰🇷 슬프게 (seulpeuge)

🇸🇦 بكآبة (bika'abah)

🇨🇿 smutně

🇸🇰 smutne

🇨🇳 悲伤地 (bēishāng de)

🇸🇮 žalostno

🇮🇸 þunglyndislega

🇰🇿 қайғылы түрде

🇬🇪 დარდიანად (dardianad)

🇦🇿 kədərli şəkildə

🇲🇽 tristemente

Word origin

The word 'dolefully' is derived from the adjective 'doleful', which originates from the Old English term 'dol', meaning 'sorrow' or 'grief'. The root can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic '*dulaz', which carries a similar connotation of sadness or brokenness. The suffix '-ful', meaning 'full of', has been added to 'dole' to create 'doleful', denoting a state filled with sorrow. Over time, 'dolefully' emerged as the adverbial form, allowing speakers to articulate actions performed in a sorrowful manner. The evolution of the word reflects the deep human experiences of grief and melancholy, which have always been a part of storytelling and communication. 'Dolefully' is often employed in literary works, exposing emotional depths and enhancing the reader's connection to the characters' struggles.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #34,011 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.