Mourn: meaning, definitions and examples

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mourn

[mɔːn ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Verb}

grief

Feel or show deep sorrow or regret for (someone or their death), typically by following conventions such as the wearing of black clothes.

Synonyms

bewail, grieve, lament, sorrow, weep.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
mourn	Typically used in more formal or solemn situations, often in reference to the death of someone close. It implies a process or period of expressing grief. He will always mourn the loss of his best friend They gathered to mourn the passing of their beloved teacher
grieve	Appropriate for both formal and personal contexts, and it can be applied to various types of losses, not just the death of a person. He is still grieving the loss of his pet They grieve for those who lost their homes in the disaster
lament	Often used in literary or poetic contexts to express sadness or regret, sometimes with a sense of longing or wistfulness. The old songs often lament the passage of time She lamented the end of their relationship in her diary
bewail	Used in a more dramatic or intense context, often indicating strong or loud expressions of grief and sorrow. She bewailed the terrible accident that took the lives of many They bewailed their misfortunes loudly
weep	Refers specifically to the act of shedding tears due to strong emotions such as sadness, joy, or pain. She wept silently at the news of his demise He wept with joy when he saw his family again
sorrow	Can be used both as a noun and a verb. It's often used to describe a deep, enduring sense of sadness over a significant loss or misfortune. Her sorrow was evident in her eyes They sorrowed over the tragedy that had struck their community

Examples of usage

She mourned her husband's death for years.
The whole nation mourned the tragic loss of the president.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

regret

Feel regret or sadness about (the loss or disappearance of something).

Synonyms

bemoan, bewail, deplore, lament, regret.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
mourn	Used to express deep sorrow for someone who has died or for something that is lost. She mourned the loss of her beloved pet. The nation mourns its fallen soldiers.
regret	Used to express sadness or disappointment over something that has happened or that one has done, usually with a personal implication. He regretted not spending more time with his family. She expressed regret for her harsh words during the argument.
bemoan	Often used when expressing regret or dissatisfaction about a situation or state of affairs. He bemoaned the lack of progress in his career. Many people bemoan the high cost of living.
lament	Used to express deep sadness over something, often in a more formal or emotional context. It can also refer to a song or poem expressing sorrow. She lamented the end of the golden era. The old man lamented the passing of simpler times.
deplore	Used to express strong disapproval or condemnation of something, often with moral or ethical implications. We deplore the violence that has taken place during the protests. The organization deplores any form of discrimination.
bewail	Typically used in a poetic or literary sense to express deep sorrow or grief. It can sound more dramatic. She bewailed her fate under the moon's pale light. The poets bewail the tragic losses of war.

Examples of usage

She mourned the end of her relationship with him.
He mourned the passing of his youth.

Interesting Facts

Historical Origins

The word comes from the Old English 'murnan', meaning 'to grieve or lament' and has roots in similar words from Germanic languages.
Throughout history, mourning practices varied greatly among cultures, with specific rituals designed to honor the deceased, showcasing how deep the custom runs.

Psychology

Mourning can be a complex process involving various stages, often described in five stages: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.
Research shows that expressing grief through sharing memories can aid in the healing process, allowing individuals to feel connected despite the loss.

Pop Culture

Mourning is a common theme in literature and film, depicted in works like Shakespeare's 'Hamlet' where the protagonist deals with the death of his father.
In many cultures, specific colors symbolize mourning; for example, black is the color traditionally worn in Western funerals, while white is often used in some Asian cultures.

Religion

Many religious traditions involve specific mourning practices; for instance, in Judaism, the period of 'Shiva' involves a week of intense mourning for immediate family members.
In Buddhism, mourning rituals often focus on helping the deceased achieve a better rebirth, instead of solely expressing sadness for the living.

Society

Modern societies have seen a shift in mourning practices influenced by social media, where people now share their grief online, creating virtual spaces for commemoration.
Public mourning has gained prominence, as seen in the collective grieving processes that can occur after significant tragedies, uniting communities.

Translations

Translations of the word "mourn" in other languages:

🇵🇹 lamentar

🇮🇳 शोक मनाना

🇩🇪 trauern

🇮🇩 berduka

🇺🇦 оплакувати

🇵🇱 opłakiwać

🇯🇵 悲しむ (kanashimu)

🇫🇷 pleurer

🇪🇸 llorar

🇹🇷 yas tutmak

🇰🇷 애도하다 (aedo-hada)

🇸🇦 يَندُب

🇨🇿 truchlit

🇸🇰 smútiť

🇨🇳 哀悼 (āidào)

🇸🇮 žalovati

🇮🇸 syrgja

🇰🇿 азалау

🇬🇪 გლოვა (glova)

🇦🇿 yas tutmaq

🇲🇽 llorar

Word Frequency Rank

At position #13,029, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.

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13026 fraught
13027 marvel
13028 denoting
13029 mourn
13030 isotopic
13031 picket
13032 razor
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