Melancholy: meaning, definitions and examples

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melancholy

 

[ หˆmษ›lษ™nkษ™li ]

Noun / Adjective
Context #1 | Noun

feeling

A deep, pensive, and long-lasting sadness or gloom.

Synonyms

despair, sadness, sorrow

Examples of usage

  • The melancholy in her eyes showed that she was still grieving.
  • He couldn't shake off the melancholy that had settled over him since the loss of his job.
Context #2 | Noun

literature

A literary, musical, or artistic work that expresses melancholy or sadness.

Synonyms

gloom, sadness, sorrow

Examples of usage

  • The composer's symphony was a beautiful expression of melancholy.
  • The novel was praised for its melancholy and haunting prose.
Context #3 | Adjective

mood

Feeling or showing a thoughtful or gentle sadness.

Synonyms

pensive, sorrowful, wistful

Examples of usage

  • She had a melancholy smile on her face as she remembered the past.
  • The painting evoked a sense of melancholy in all who viewed it.

Translations

Translations of the word "melancholy" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น melancolia

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เค‰เคฆเคพเคธเฅ€

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Melancholie

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ melankolis

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะผะตะปะฐะฝั…ะพะปั–ั

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ melancholia

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ๆ†‚้ฌฑ (ใ‚†ใ†ใ†ใค)

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท mรฉlancolie

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ melancolรญa

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท melankoli

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์šฐ์šธ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ูƒุขุจุฉ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ melancholie

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ melanchรณlia

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅฟง้ƒ (yลuyรน)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ melanholija

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ รพunglyndi

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะผะตะปะฐะฝั…ะพะปะธั

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ›แƒ”แƒšแƒแƒœแƒฅแƒแƒšแƒ˜แƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ melanxoliya

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ melancolรญa

Word origin

The word 'melancholy' has its roots in ancient Greek philosophy, where it was believed that an excess of black bile in the body could lead to a state of melancholia. This concept evolved over time to refer to a deep sadness or gloom. The term has been used in literature, music, and art to evoke emotions of thoughtful sadness and reflection. Melancholy is often associated with introspection and a sense of longing for something lost or unattainable.

See also: melancholic.

Word Frequency Rank

At #6,927 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.