Melancholic Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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melancholic

[ˌmelənˈkɒlɪk ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

feeling

Feeling or expressing sadness, typically with no obvious cause.

Synonyms

depressed, downcast, gloomy, sad.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
melancholic	Best used to describe a deep and often reflective sadness, typically one that is somewhat romantic or poetic. The melancholic tunes of the piano echoed through the empty hall. He had a melancholic look in his eyes as he remembered his childhood.
sad	General term for a feeling of unhappiness or sorrow. It can be used in a variety of situations, both minor and major. She was sad to see her friend leave. The movie had a very sad ending.
gloomy	Used to describe a mood or atmosphere that is dark and depressing. Often refers to the weather or a place, but can also apply to a person’s emotions. The gloomy weather matched his somber mood. She felt gloomy after hearing the bad news.
depressed	Used to describe a serious state of sadness that affects someone's mental health. It often implies a clinical condition or a prolonged period of intense sadness. She has been feeling depressed for months and decided to seek help from a therapist. The news left him feeling utterly depressed.
downcast	Typically used to describe someone who feels despondent or has lost hope. Can also refer to someone with their head lowered in sadness or defeat. His downcast eyes revealed his disappointment. Feeling downcast, she didn't have the energy to attend the party.

Examples of usage

She felt melancholic after watching the movie.
His melancholic gaze lingered on the horizon.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

art

A person who is given to melancholy, or a piece of music, art, etc., with a melancholy atmosphere.

Synonyms

despondent, mournful, pessimist, sorrowful.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
melancholic	Often used to describe a gentle, reflective sadness that lingers over time. The melancholic tunes of the piano filled the room. She had a melancholic look in her eyes.
pessimist	Refers to someone who generally expects negative outcomes; typically carries a negative connotation. He's such a pessimist, always imagining the worst-case scenarios. Even on sunny days, the pessimist predicts rain.
sorrowful	Describes a feeling of deep sadness, often related to regret or loss. She gave him a sorrowful look as she told the tragic news. The story had a sorrowful ending that left everyone in tears.
mournful	Used to describe a deep sadness often related to grief or mourning. The mournful cries at the funeral touched everyone's heart. He had a mournful expression after hearing the devastating news.
despondent	Describes a state of being in low spirits due to a sense of loss or lack of hope. After losing the job, he felt utterly despondent. The team was despondent after yet another defeat.

Examples of usage

The painting evoked the spirit of a melancholic.
He was known as a melancholic in the art world.

Translations

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

Interesting Facts

Literature

In literature, characters displaying such feelings are often portrayed as deep thinkers or artists.
Famous works, like Shakespeare's plays, include melancholic characters who reflect on human nature and suffering.

Psychology

Studies show that experiencing melancholic feelings can lead to greater creativity and problem-solving skills.
This emotional state is often linked to the concept of nostalgia, providing a bittersweet connection to the past.

Art

Many artists use melancholic themes to evoke emotions in their work, often leading to masterpieces in painting and music.
The famous painting 'The Scream' by Edvard Munch captures a sense of existential dread, often associated with melancholy.

Pop Culture

Melancholic tones are prevalent in various music genres, especially in ballads and blues, reflecting the depth of human emotion.
Films often explore themes of melancholy, showcasing characters dealing with loss or longing, such as 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.'

Origin of 'melancholic'

Main points about word origin

The word comes from the Greek 'melancholia,' meaning 'black bile,' which was once thought to be a cause of sadness.
It was used in ancient medicine to describe a condition believed to be linked to an imbalance of bodily fluids.

The word 'melancholic' originated from the Greek word 'melankholia', which was a combination of 'melas' meaning black, and 'kholē' meaning bile. In ancient times, it was believed that an excess of black bile in the body caused a person to feel melancholic. The concept of melancholy has been explored in various forms of art, literature, and psychology throughout history.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #25,647, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.

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25644 demagogue
25645 embalmed
25646 malfunctioning
25647 melancholic
25648 urbane
25649 tactfully
25650 freighters
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