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Sorrowful Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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sorrowful

[หˆsษ’rษ™สŠfสŠl ]

Definition

Context #1 | Adjective

feeling or showing sadness

Feeling or showing deep distress, sadness, or regret. It is an emotion that is often associated with loss or disappointment.

Synonyms

grief-stricken, melancholic, mournful, sad.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
sorrowful

Used to describe a deep sense of sadness often linked to a particular event or loss.

  • She gave a sorrowful sigh as she looked at the old photographs
sad

A general term for feeling unhappy or sorrowful, can be used in a variety of situations.

  • She felt sad after hearing the bad news
mournful

Describes a sorrowful feeling typically associated with mourning or lamenting a deep loss.

  • The mournful tunes of the bagpipes filled the air during the memorial service
melancholic

Used to describe a more gentle, reflective sadness that lingers, often without a specific cause.

  • He felt melancholic while sitting alone by the window, reminiscing about the past
grief-stricken

Describes someone who is overwhelmed by grief, often used in situations of extreme loss or tragedy.

  • The grief-stricken mother could barely speak at the funeral

Examples of usage

  • She had a sorrowful expression on her face.
  • The news of his passing left everyone feeling sorrowful.
  • The poem was filled with sorrowful imagery.

Translations

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

Interesting Facts

Literature

  • Many poems use sorrowful emotions to express deep feelings and connect with readers, such as in the works of Emily Dickinson.
  • Classic novels often have sorrowful characters to explore complex themes of love, loss, and redemption.
  • Shakespeareโ€™s tragedies frequently highlight sorrowful experiences that lead to profound transformations.

Psychology

  • Feeling sorrowful is a natural part of the human experience, often triggered by loss or disappointment.
  • Research indicates that expressing sorrow can actually help individuals process their emotions and lead to healing.
  • Experiencing sorrow in safe environments can enhance empathy and understanding towards others' feelings of sadness.

Cultural Expressions

  • In many cultures, music is a tool to express sorrowful feelings, often found in blues or melancholy ballads.
  • Artistic representations of sorrowful scenes can evoke strong emotional responses, guiding viewers to reflect on their own feelings.
  • Films often portray sorrowful moments to build connections with characters, making audiences feel empathy and compassion.

Pop Culture

  • Sorrowful themes are prevalent in various genres, including gothic novels, melancholic pop songs, and somber films.
  • Famous songs like 'Tears in Heaven' capture sorrowful sentiments in memorable ways, resonating with listeners around the world.
  • Characters in popular media often experience sorrowful moments that are pivotal to their development and the storyโ€™s emotional depth.

Origin of 'sorrowful'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Old English 'sorh,' meaning distress or grief.
  • Its roots can be traced back to Proto-Germanic and Proto-Indo-European languages, where similar sounds indicate sadness or pain.
  • The transformation of the word over centuries reflects changing attitudes towards expressing emotions.

The word 'sorrowful' has its origins in Middle English, derived from the Old English word 'sorgful', which means 'full of sorrow'. Over time, the word evolved to its current form, maintaining its core meaning of expressing deep sadness or grief. The concept of sorrow has been a common theme in literature and art throughout history, reflecting the universal human experience of dealing with loss and sadness.

See also: sorrow, sorrowfully, sorrowfulness, sorrowing.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #15,816, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.