Mournful Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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mournful
[ˈmɔːnfʊl ]
Definitions
feeling of sadness
Feeling or expressing sadness or sorrow; full of or indicating sorrow.
Synonyms
gloomy, melancholic, sad, sorrowful.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| mournful |
Appropriate when referring to deep grief, typically related to death or loss.
|
| sad |
A general term for feelings of unhappiness or sorrow in various situations.
|
| sorrowful |
Best used to describe deep and often prolonged sadness, typically involving personal loss or misfortune.
|
| melancholic |
Used when referring to a thoughtful, sometimes idealized sadness. Often used in artistic or poetic contexts.
|
| gloomy |
Suitable for describing a dark, depressing atmosphere or mood.
|
Examples of usage
- She gazed mournfully out the window.
- The mournful sound of the violin filled the room.
- The mournful expression on his face broke her heart.
sounds or music
Having a sound that expresses sadness.
Synonyms
gloomy, melancholic, sad, sorrowful.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| mournful |
Used in situations involving deep grief or mourning, often related to death or loss.
|
| sad |
A general term for feeling unhappy or sorrowful, applicable to a wide range of situations.
|
| sorrowful |
Used to describe deep, profound sadness, especially related to loss or misfortune.
|
| melancholic |
Used to describe a pensive or deeply thoughtful sadness, often reflective in nature.
|
| gloomy |
Used when describing an environment or atmosphere that is dark, dull, or depressing. It can also describe a person's mood.
|
Examples of usage
- The mournful melody brought tears to her eyes.
- The mournful howl of the wind echoed through the night.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Literature
- The term is often used in poetry to evoke deep, emotional responses, such as in the elegies of historic poets like John Milton.
- In Shakespeare's works, characters often express mournful feelings after loss, showcasing human emotions.
- Novels, like 'A Farewell to Arms' by Ernest Hemingway, are punctuated with mournful reflections on love and war.
Psychology
- Mournful feelings are part of the grief process, which can affect mental health and well-being.
- Psychologists highlight that expressing mournful emotions can be a healthy part of coping with loss.
- Studies suggest that sharing mournful experiences can strengthen social bonds and empathy between individuals.
Music
- Many songs, especially in blues and classical genres, explore mournful themes, using melodies to convey sadness.
- Lamentation music traditions exist across cultures, often expressing collective grief in a mournful style.
- Mournful tunes can evoke empathy and connection, drawing listeners into the artist's emotional landscape.
Art
- Art movements like Romanticism often depicted mournful subjects, exploring themes of loss and yearning through dramatic imagery.
- Famous paintings, like Edvard Munch’s 'The Scream', evoke a sense of mournful despair through color and expression.
- Many sculptures focus on mournful scenes to evoke feelings of loss, aiming to connect deeply with the viewer's emotions.
Origin of 'mournful'
Main points about word origin
- The word comes from the Old English 'murnan,' which means to grieve or lament.
- It is related to the word 'mourning,' which describes the period of sadness after losing someone.
- In Middle English, 'mournful' described someone who was deeply distressed or lamenting.
The word 'mournful' originated from the Old English word 'murnan' which means to grieve or be sad. Over time, the word evolved to 'mournful' in Middle English, retaining its meaning of expressing sorrow or sadness. The usage of 'mournful' has been prevalent in English literature and poetry to convey deep emotions of sadness and sorrow.
See also: mourn, mourner, mournfully, mourning.