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 of sorrowful

• 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

Their sorrowful slow-dance, at first with the air and then with each other, set to the ensemble evoking the crooning of a record player, is just wonderful. — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 3 Nov. 2026

He is often called on by friends and others for things joyful (weddings) and sorrowful (funerals). — Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, 3 Nov. 2026

Filmed here in 2005, the video sees frontman Gerard Way belt the sorrowful lyrics at the front of church with his bandmates and a group of dancers around him. — Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026

Elsewhere around the town square, feelings range from cautious to noncommittal, from sorrowful to suspicious. — Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 22 Sep. 2026

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