Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

melancholist

noun
mel·an·chol·ist | \ -lə̇st \
plural -s

Definition of melancholist 

1 archaic : a person in whom black bile is the predominant humor

2 : melancholiac

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

History and Etymology for melancholist

melancholy entry 1 + -ist

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about melancholist

Share melancholist

Resources for melancholist

Cite Time Traveler Time Traveler! Explore the year a word first appeared

Dictionary Entries near melancholist

melancholily

melancholiness

melancholish

melancholist

melancholize

melancholy

melancholy thistle

Statistics for melancholist

Look-up Popularity

Comments on melancholist

What made you want to look up melancholist? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

atone

to make amends

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Musical Words Quiz

  • gramophone
  • Which word describes a musical performance marked by the absence of instrumental accompaniment?
How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

TAKE THE QUIZ
Syn City

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games