mournful

adjective

mourn·​ful ˈmȯrn-fəl 

1

: expressing sorrow : sorrowful

2

: full of sorrow : sad

3

: causing sorrow or melancholy : gloomy

mournfully

ˈmȯrn-fə-lē 

adverb

mournfulness noun

Synonyms

• aching
• agonized
• anguished
• bemoaning
• bewailing
• bitter
• deploring
• doleful
• dolesome
• dolorous
• funeral
• grieving
• heartbroken
• lamentable
• lugubrious
• plaintive
• plangent
• regretful
• rueful
• sorrowful
• sorry
• wailing
• weeping
• woeful

Examples of mournful in a Sentence

she had such a mournful expression that someone teasingly asked if her dog had died

the mournful survivors of the disaster were faced with the grim task of burying the dead

Recent Examples on the Web

This mournful tone fits much of Stiglitz’s career, as the left-leaning economist and author finds himself in increasingly lonely company: the pro-capitalist progressive. —Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 26 May 2024

The effect, ultimately, is more mournful than pornographic. —Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 24 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

mournful

adjective

mourn·​ful ˈmō(ə)rn-fəl 

ˈmȯ(ə)rn-

1

: expressing or full of sorrow : sorrowful

a mournful face

2

: causing sorrow

a mournful story

mournfully

-fə-lē 

adverb

mournfulness noun