Grief: meaning, definitions and examples

😢

Add to dictionary

grief

[ ɡriːf ]

Noun / Verb

^{Context #1 | Noun}

feeling of deep sorrow

Grief is a natural response to loss, often involving feelings of sadness, longing, and emptiness. It can manifest in various ways, such as crying, anger, or withdrawal from others. Grief is a complex emotion that can impact every aspect of a person's life, including their physical, emotional, and mental well-being.

Synonyms

heartache, mourning, sadness, sorrow.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
grief	Grief is a profound and all-encompassing emotion that typically arises from the loss of a loved one or something deeply valued. She felt an immense grief after her father passed away; His grief was evident in every action he took
sorrow	Sorrow is a feeling of deep distress caused by loss, disappointment, or other misfortune, and is often more prolonged than sadness. The sorrow of losing a loved one can last for years; He was filled with sorrow after hearing the tragic news
sadness	Sadness is a general feeling of unhappiness or sorrow that can arise for various reasons, not as intense as grief. She felt a deep sadness on a rainy day; His sadness was clear when he talked about his childhood
mourning	Mourning refers to the period and expressions of grief, often with cultural or societal rituals, following a death. The family is in mourning after the loss of their grandmother; Mourning practices vary significantly between different cultures
heartache	Heartache is used to describe emotional pain, often linked to matters of the heart, such as the end of a romantic relationship. She went through a lot of heartache after the breakup; The heartache of unrequited love is a common theme in literature

Examples of usage

She was overwhelmed with grief after the death of her beloved pet.
The family was united in their grief over the tragic accident.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

to feel or express deep sorrow

To grieve is to experience intense sorrow or mourning, typically in response to a loss or tragedy. It involves processing emotions such as sadness, anger, and disbelief. Grieving is a personal and unique process that can vary greatly from one individual to another.

Synonyms

lament, mourn, suffer, weep.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
grief	Grief is a deep sorrow, typically caused by the death of a loved one. It is a long-term emotional state. She was overwhelmed with grief after losing her mother. His grief was palpable and he could barely speak.
mourn	To mourn means to show deep sorrow or regret, often through specific customs or rituals, usually connected with death. The family gathered to mourn the passing of their grandfather. People around the world mourned the loss of the renowned artist.
lament	To lament is to express sorrow or regret verbally. It's often used in formal or literary contexts. The poet laments the loss of innocence in his writings. She lamented over the tragedy that had befallen the village.
suffer	To suffer is to endure pain or distress, which can be physical or emotional and not necessarily connected to death. He continues to suffer from a chronic illness. She suffered greatly after the breakup of her long-term relationship.
weep	To weep means to cry, generally in response to strong emotions such as sadness, sorrow, or happiness. It's a more poetic and emotional way of saying 'cry'. She wept quietly at the funeral. He couldn't help but weep tears of joy when he heard the good news.

Examples of usage

She grieved for weeks after the sudden loss of her job.
The community came together to grieve the passing of a beloved member.

Translations

Translations of the word "grief" in other languages:

🇵🇹 luto

🇮🇳 शोक

🇩🇪 Trauer

🇮🇩 duka

🇺🇦 горе

🇵🇱 żal

🇯🇵 悲しみ (kanashimi)

🇫🇷 chagrin

🇪🇸 dolor

🇹🇷 keder

🇰🇷 슬픔 (seulpeum)

🇸🇦 حزن

🇨🇿 smutek

🇸🇰 smútok

🇨🇳 悲伤 (bēishāng)

🇸🇮 žalost

🇮🇸 sorg

🇰🇿 қасірет

🇬🇪 მწუხარება (mtsukhareba)

🇦🇿 kədər

🇲🇽 dolor

Etymology

The word 'grief' has its origins in Middle English, derived from the Old French word 'gref', meaning 'affliction' or 'sorrow'. It has been used for centuries to describe the deep emotional pain experienced in response to loss. The concept of grief has been explored in various cultures and disciplines, highlighting its universal nature as a human experience.

See also: griefer, griefing, grievance, grieve.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #4,796, this word represents useful upper-intermediate vocabulary. Understanding and using it will help you express more complex ideas effectively.

...
4793 collector
4794 molecule
4795 metabolism
4796 grief
4797 followers
4798 versions
4799 guest
...