Lachrymose: meaning, definitions and examples

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lachrymose

 

[ ˈlaɪkrɪˌmoʊs ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

emotional state

Lachrymose refers to a tendency to cry or be tearful, often in a sorrowful or melancholic manner. It is used to describe individuals or situations that are excessively sad or weepy. The term originates from the Latin word 'lacrimosus', which means 'full of tears'. It can apply to literature, film, or real-life instances where emotions are heightened and lead to tears.

Synonyms

melancholy, sad, sorrowful, tearful, weepy

Examples of usage

  • She gave a lachrymose performance that left the audience in tears.
  • The movie was so lachrymose that I couldn't help but cry.
  • His lachrymose attitude made it difficult for him to enjoy the party.
  • The story had a lachrymose ending that resonated with many readers.

Translations

Translations of the word "lachrymose" in other languages:

🇵🇹 lágrimoso

🇮🇳 आंसू भरा

🇩🇪 tränenreich

🇮🇩 menangis

🇺🇦 сльозливий

🇵🇱 łzawy

🇯🇵 涙を流す

🇫🇷 larmoyant

🇪🇸 lágrimoso

🇹🇷 gözyaşartan

🇰🇷 눈물 나는

🇸🇦 مؤلم

🇨🇿 slzavý

🇸🇰 slzavý

🇨🇳 含泪的

🇸🇮 solzljiv

🇮🇸 tárfelltur

🇰🇿 жылау

🇬🇪 ცრემლიანი

🇦🇿 gözyaşardıcı

🇲🇽 llorón

Word origin

The word 'lachrymose' traces its root back to the early 17th century, deriving from the Latin term 'lacrimosus', which means 'tearful' or 'sorrowful'. This, in turn, is derived from 'lacrima', meaning 'tear'. The evolution of the word reflects a historical emphasis on emotional expressions and the physical manifestations of sadness in both literature and everyday speech. Its usage has often been linked to art and drama, particularly in contexts where emotional depth and vulnerability are portrayed. Over time, 'lachrymose' has maintained a somewhat literary connotation, often used to describe characters in novels or films who embody excessive sorrow or sensitivity.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #36,921, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.