Main Entry:

for·lorn

Pronunciation:

\fər-ˈlȯrn, fȯr-\

Function:

adjective

Etymology:

Middle English forloren, from Old English, past participle of forlēosan to lose, from for- + lēosan to lose — more at lose

Date:

before 12th century

1 a: bereft, forsaken <left quite forlorn of hope> b: sad and lonely because of isolation or desertion : desolate <a forlorn landscape>2: being in poor condition : miserable, wretched <forlorn tumbledown buildings>3: nearly hopeless <a forlorn attempt>

synonyms see alone

— for·lorn·ly adverb

— for·lorn·ness \-ˈlȯrn-nəs\ noun