Grief Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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grief

[ɡriːf ]

Definitions

^{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

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

Grief is not just sadness; it can include anger, confusion, and even relief.
People process grief differently; some may want to talk about their feelings, while others prefer solitude.
The five stages of grief—denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance—were popularized by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross.

Literature

Many writers, like Shakespeare and Emily Dickinson, explore grief as a key theme in their works.
In modern literature, grief is often depicted as a journey, reflecting the complex nature of healing.
Some famous novels, such as 'A Monster Calls' and 'The Year of Magical Thinking', delve deeply into the experience of loss.

Pop Culture

Movies like 'The Fault in Our Stars' and 'The Pursuit of Happyness' tackle themes of grief and loss.
Grief has inspired countless songs across genres, speaking to universal experiences of sorrow and healing.
Television shows often portray characters coping with loss, helping audiences connect through shared emotional experiences.

Science

Research shows that grief can affect physical health, leading to fatigue, sleep disturbances, and even heart issues.
Losing a loved one can activate stress responses in the body, impacting mental and emotional well-being.
Studies indicate that social support is crucial for navigating through the complexities of grief.

Origin of 'grief'

Main points about word origin

The word comes from the Latin 'grief', meaning 'to burden' or 'to harm'.
It then made its way to Old French as 'grieve', referring to 'sorrow' or 'affliction'.
The transition to English kept the original meaning of severe emotional pain.

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.

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