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

Etymology

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.