Melancholy Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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melancholy

[ˈmɛlənkəli ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

feeling

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

Synonyms

despair, sadness, sorrow.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
melancholy	Melancholy is often used to describe a deep, pensive, and long-lasting sadness. It carries a sense of beautiful sadness, often connected to nostalgia or reflection. She felt a sense of melancholy as she looked through her old photo album. The melancholy melody of the piano made him reminisce about the past.
sadness	Sadness is a general term for feeling sorrowful or unhappy. It describes a temporary emotional state that can be caused by various factors. He felt a wave of sadness when his friend moved to another city. The movie left her with a deep sadness.
sorrow	Sorrow is used for profound distress or grief, often linked with a significant loss. It is more intense than sadness and usually lasts longer. She could barely speak through her sorrow after her mother's death. His face showed deep sorrow as he attended the funeral.
despair	Despair indicates a complete loss of hope. It is used in situations where someone feels utterly hopeless and sees no way out of their misery. After losing his job and his home, he felt a deep sense of despair. She sank into despair when she realized she couldn't save her relationship.

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.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
melancholy	Used to describe a deep, reflective sadness often paired with a sense of tranquility or beauty. Suitable for poetic or emotional contexts. She sat by the window, lost in melancholy thoughts about the past. The old photographs brought a sense of melancholy to the evening.
sadness	A general term for the feeling of being unhappy, down, or upset. It can apply to any situation where someone is feeling low. She couldn't shake the sadness after hearing about her friend's illness. There was a noticeable sadness in his eyes when he talked about his childhood.
sorrow	Describes deep distress, grief, or regret often caused by loss or misfortune. It carries a heavier, more profound weight than simple sadness. He felt immense sorrow after the passing of his beloved dog. The entire community shared in the sorrow of the tragic event.
gloom	Refers to a state of darkness or dim light, often suggesting a feeling of depression or hopelessness. It can describe both physical and emotional states. A sense of gloom settled over the room as the news spread. The dense fog added to the overall gloom of the dreary morning.

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.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
melancholy	Melancholy fits situations where someone feels a deep, lasting sadness often without a clear reason. It can be used to describe a general mood or atmosphere. She looked out the window with a melancholy expression The autumn evening had a melancholy beauty
pensive	Pensive is best for moments when someone is deeply lost in thought, often in a reflective or contemplative manner, not necessarily sad. He sat by the fireplace, pensive, thinking about the day's events Her face was pensive as she read the old letter
sorrowful	Sorrowful is used when describing someone who is feeling or showing great sadness, especially because of a specific loss or disappointment. The widow's eyes were sorrowful at the funeral He had a sorrowful look after hearing the bad news
wistful	Wistful is appropriate when someone is yearning or longing for something with a sense of gentle sadness and nostalgia. She gave a wistful smile as she looked at the old photographs His mind was filled with wistful memories of his childhood

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

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

Origin of 'melancholy'

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.

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.

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