lament

[luh-ment]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR lament ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object)

to feel or express sorrow or regret for: to lament his absence.

to mourn for or over.

verb (used without object)

to feel, show, or express grief, sorrow, or regret.

to mourn deeply.

noun

an expression of grief or sorrow.

a formal expression of sorrow or mourning, especially in verse or song; an elegy or dirge.

Nearby words

Origin of lament

1520–30; (noun) < Latin lāmentum plaint; (v.) < Latin lāmentārī, derivative of lāmentum

SYNONYMS FOR lament

1, 2. bewail, bemoan, deplore. 3, 4. grieve, weep. 5. lamentation, moan. 6. monody, threnody.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR lament ON THESAURUS.COM

Related formsla·ment·er, nounla·ment·ing·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for lament

While many today lament that iPhones and iPads have become almost extra limbs, for Hockney they were a breakthrough for his art.
The Many Lives of Artist David Hockney|William O’Connor|November 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But by and large, McCain and Kaine didn't so much disagree as lament different topics.
Politics End In Halifax As Democratic and GOP Senators Seek Common Ground on National Security|Tim Mak|November 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
So go the lyrics of the iconic 1970 Joni Mitchell lament, “Big Yellow Taxi.”
Paved Paradise|The Daily Beast|September 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But even if you blame the parties equally, or blame the Democrats more, you should lament this: It harms the United States.
American Statesmanship Is Depressingly MIA on Border Kids, MH17 & Gaza|Michael Tomasky|July 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Millions of other Americans will lament they live in cities with strapped budgets that throw piddling BBQs and hand out sparklers.
James Madison’s Lesson in Delayed Great-ification|Kevin Bleyer|July 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I wail to a familiar tune, of course, in this lament for the evanescence of human grandeur and the perishable renown of kings.
Modern Essays|John Macy
On this they all joined in a cry of wailing and Achilles led them in their lament.
The Iliad|Homer
But, sir, it is not to lament the irretrievable that I intrude myself upon your leisure.
The Plays of W. E. Henley and R. L. Stevenson|Robert Louis Stevenson
He is now your son-in-law, still in the prime of life, with the business training you lament that you do not possess.
The Entailed Hat|George Alfred Townsend
If you grieve and lament because of this, do you think that I am surprised?
Four Arthurian Romances|Chretien DeTroyes

British Dictionary definitions for lament

lament

verb

to feel or express sorrow, remorse, or regret (for or over)

noun

an expression of sorrow

a poem or song in which a death is lamented

Derived Formslamenter, nounlamentingly, adverb

Word Origin for lament

C16: from Latin lāmentum

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for lament

lament

mid-15c., back-formation from lamentation or else from Middle French lamenter "to moan, bewail" (14c.) and directly from Latin lamentari, from lamentum (see lamentation). Related: Lamented; lamenting.

lament

1590s, from Middle French lament and directly from Latin lamentum (see lamentation).

lament

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

noun

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Origin of lament

Examples from the Web for lament

lament

verb

noun

Word Origin for lament

lament

lament