sorrowful

adjective

sor·​row·​ful ˈsär-(ˌ)ō-fəl 

-ə-fəl,

ˈsȯr-

1

: full of or marked by sorrow

a sorrowful goodbye

2

: expressive of or inducing sorrow

sorrowful eyes

sorrowfully

ˈsär-(ˌ)ō-f(ə-)lē 

-ə-f(ə-)lē

ˈsȯr-

adverb

sorrowfulness

ˈsär-(ˌ)ō-fəl-nəs 

-ə-fəl-

ˈsȯr-

noun

Synonyms

• mournful
• weeping
• heartbroken
• funeral
• bitter
• grieving
• sad

Examples of sorrowful in a Sentence

adopted a sorrowful tone of voice to read the news story about the former governor's death

the cult seemed to be a sorrowful assemblage of emotionally scarred people seeking love and redemption

Recent Examples on the Web

The depth of humanity Kosztolányi brings to the sorrowful life of Skylark and her adoring parents is magical, and rewards anyone who overcomes its modest premise. —New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025

May Waheguru ji grant his soul eternal abode at His feet and give strength to the family to bear this sorrowful blow. —Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2025

The sorrowful puppy dog eyes were all because the owner’s tuxedo cat was curled up among the blankets in Rocky’s crate (despite having a bed of his own). —Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Sep. 2025

The judges would look embarrassed and sorrowful. —Laura Vazquez, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

sorrowful

adjective

sor·​row·​ful ˈsär-ō-fəl 

ˈsȯr-,

-ə-fəl

1

: full of or showing sorrow

a sorrowful good-bye

2

: expressive of or causing sorrow

sorrowful eyes

sorrowfully

-f(ə-)lē 

adverb