woeful

adjective

woe·​ful ˈwō-fəl How to pronounce woeful (audio)
variants or less commonly woful
1
: full of woe : grievous
woeful prophecies
2
: involving or bringing woe
3
: lamentably bad or serious : deplorable
woeful ignorance
woefully adverb
woefulness noun

Examples of woeful in a Sentence

The puppy had woeful eyes. The student's grades were woeful.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Each episode includes the woeful word in place of another. Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025 The memories, still fresh, both woeful and wonderful, came rushing back. Theoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 28 Aug. 2025 His side were bruised and battered after failing to qualify for the Champions League last season, doomed by a woeful performance at Manchester United on the final Sunday when even a point would have done the job. Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2025 Improving this woeful reality is challenging, and schools aren’t well-positioned to be everything to everyone. The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for woeful

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of woeful was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Woeful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/woeful. Accessed 4 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

woeful

adjective
woe·​ful ˈwō-fəl How to pronounce woeful (audio)
1
: full of woe
a woeful tale
2
: involving or bringing woe
a woeful occurrence
3
: pitifully bad
woeful ignorance
woefully adverb
woefulness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on woeful

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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