Dolefully - Definition, Meaning, and Examples in English

Definition

^{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.

Interesting Facts

Literature

Many poems capture a sense of longing and sadness, often using the word to convey deep emotional experiences.
In classic literature, characters expressing feelings of loss often do so in a dolefully manner, enhancing the themes of despair.

Psychology

Expressing emotions like sadness can be therapeutic, and using words like 'dolefully' helps articulate those feelings.
Doleful expressions in body language, such as slow movements and downcast eyes, are often recognized as indicators of emotional distress.

Cultural Usage

Songs that explore themes of heartbreak and loss frequently incorporate the term, resonating with listeners' feelings.
In film and theater, a character's doleful demeanor can starkly contrast with the happiness around them, emphasizing their isolation.

Music

Many ballads and folk songs use 'dolefully' to describe the singer’s mournful attitude towards lost love or tragedy.
The sound of a slow, melancholic tune often evokes a sense of being doleful, reflecting the mood conveyed by the word.

Origin of 'dolefully'

Main points about word origin

'Dole' comes from the Old English 'dālan', meaning to divide or share, often associated with sharing sadness.
The suffix '-fully' makes it an adverb, changing the word to describe an action done in a sorrowful way.

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.

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34008 disfranchise
34009 auctioning
34010 suspenseful
34011 dolefully
34012 tangibly
34013 filched
34014 inflammability
...

Dolefully Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations