blues

noun

ˈblüz 

plural in form but singular or plural in construction

1

: low spirits : melancholy

suffering a case of the blues

2

: a song often of lamentation characterized by usually 12-bar phrases, 3-line stanzas in which the words of the second line usually repeat those of the first, and continual occurrence of blue notes in melody and harmony

3

: jazz or popular music using harmonic and phrase structures of blues

Synonyms

• blue devils
• dejection
• depression
• desolation
• despond
• despondence
• despondency
• disconsolateness
• dispiritedness
• doldrums
• dolefulness
• downheartedness
• dreariness
• dumps
• forlornness
• gloom
• gloominess
• glumness
• heartsickness
• joylessness
• melancholy
• miserableness
• mopes
• mournfulness
• oppression
• sadness
• sorrowfulness
• unhappiness

Examples of blues in a Sentence

failing the driving test gave me the blues for the rest of the day

Recent Examples on the Web

In Switzerland, the only winter blues are the hues of the sky and markers for denoting intermediate ski runs. —Rachel King, Fortune, 11 Feb. 2023

Color-wise, stripes traditionally track more to neutrals, with a heavy dose of different blues. —Leah Melby Clinton, Harper's BAZAAR, 8 Feb. 2023

Ringed by the snowcapped Sierra Nevada mountains and bathed in an Impressionist's palette of blues, Tahoe is the largest alpine lake in North America and the second deepest (1,645 feet) in the U.S. —Deb Hopewell, Travel + Leisure, 3 Feb. 2023

Aoife O’Donovan is up for three in the folk and Americana categories, while local blues kingpin Tom Hambridge is up for two (for producing records by Buddy Guy and Keb’ Mo). —Marc Hirsh, BostonGlobe.com, 2 Feb. 2023

Word History

Etymology

blue devils

First Known Use

1741, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing blues

• postpartum blues
• rhythm and blues
• singing the blues
• the blues

Kids Definition

blues

plural noun

ˈblüz 

1

: low spirits : melancholy

2

: a song often expressing sadness and characterized by the continual occurrence of the flatted third, fifth, and seventh tones of a scale in both the melody and harmony

Medical Definition

blues

noun, plural in form but singular or plural in construction

ˈblüz 

: low spirits : melancholy

blue

ˈblü 

adjective