Forlornly Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
๐ข
forlornly
[fษหlษหrnli ]
Definitions
feeling of sadness
In a pitifully sad and abandoned manner.
Synonyms
desolately, mournfully, sadly.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| forlornly |
Used when someone feels abandoned or hopeless, often in a lonely or desolate setting.
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| sadly |
Used to express a general feeling of unhappiness or disappointment.
|
| mournfully |
Used when expressing grief or sorrow, often related to someoneโs loss or in a situation of mourning.
|
| desolately |
Used to describe a very bleak or empty place or a profound feeling of loneliness and sadness.
|
Examples of usage
- She looked forlornly out the window, waiting for his return.
- The dog sat forlornly outside the closed door, hoping to be let in.
hopelessness
In a manner showing no prospect of success or relief.
Synonyms
desperately, helplessly, hopelessly.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| forlornly |
Use when expressing a deep sense of sadness or loneliness, often combined with a feeling of abandonment.
|
| helplessly |
Use to describe a situation where someone is completely without power or ability to take action or change the outcome, often connoting a sense of vulnerability.
|
| hopelessly |
Use when referring to a situation that seems to have no possibility of success or improvement, often with a strong sense of despair and resignation.
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| desperately |
Use when describing a situation where there is an urgent need or a strong feeling of despair, often with a sense of frantic or intense effort.
|
Examples of usage
- He stared forlornly at the empty fridge, knowing he had no food left.
- She gazed forlornly at the unfinished painting, feeling uninspired.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Literature
- In Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet', the character Juliet expresses forlorn feelings when separated from Romeo.
- Emily Dickinson, a keen observer of human emotion, used similar expressions to describe the loneliness in her poetry.
- The term appears frequently in Gothic literature, emphasizing the melancholy and despair of characters in isolated settings.
Psychology
- Feelings of forlornness can be associated with loneliness, which can impact mental health significantly.
- The emotion behind forlornly often connects to attachment theory, reflecting deep emotional bonds and the pain of loss.
- Research suggests that expressing forlorn feelings through art or writing can help individuals process their emotions.
Pop Culture
- Many songs evoke a forlorn tone, capturing the feelings of heartbreak and longing; for example, 'Tears Dry on Their Own' by Amy Winehouse.
- Films often portray forlorn characters to elicit empathy, such as the character of Amรฉlie in 'Amรฉlie', who feels isolated despite being surrounded by people.
- In animated films, characters like Eeyore from 'Winnie the Pooh' express forlorn sentiments through their demeanor and dialogue.
Art
- Famous art pieces, like Edvard Munch's 'The Scream', evoke feelings of forlornness through expressions of despair and longing.
- In photography, images capturing desolate landscapes often communicate a sense of forlornness, highlighting isolation in nature.
- The use of muted colors and shadowy figures in art can effectively represent forlorn emotions, inviting viewers to connect with the feeling.
Origin of 'forlornly'
Main points about word origin
- The word 'forlorn' comes from Middle English, derived from the Old English term 'forleosan', meaning 'to lose'.
- Initially, the term expressed the idea of being lost or abandoned, which evolved to signify deep feelings of sadness or hopelessness.
- Forlornly has been used in literature since the 15th century, often to capture poignant moments of despair.
The word 'forlornly' originated from the Middle English term 'forloren', which meant 'lost' or 'abandoned'. Over time, it evolved to include the sense of sadness or hopelessness that it carries today. The adverb 'forlornly' is often used to describe a sense of despair or desolation in various situations.
See also: forlorn.