Entry Word: melancholy

Function: adjective

Meaning: 1 causing unhappiness <the melancholy thought of having to say good-bye to all the friends he had made over the summer> — see sad 2
2 feeling unhappiness <she was a bit melancholy after school ended for the year> — see sad 1
3 given to or marked by long, quiet thinking <a melancholy period in the artist's life that is reflected in his work> — see contemplative