melancholic

[ mel-uhn-kol-ik ]

adjective

1. disposed to or affected with melancholy; gloomy.
2. of, relating to, or affected with melancholia.

Other Words From

• melan·choli·cal·ly adverb
• unmel·an·cholic adjective
• unmel·an·choli·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of melancholic¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English melancolik, from Latin melancholicus, from Greek melancholikós; melancholy, -ic

Example Sentences

This was profoundly touching and meaningful to me, obviously, but I’m mentioning it to clarify that what he’d praised was a portrait of himself as an intensely melancholic man with very deep, very old private regrets.

From Eater

Mortimer hits all the sweaty, swooning highs and melancholic lows of this roller-coaster plot, with a particular eye for comedy.

From Time

I’d also be remiss not to mention Nicholas Britell’s gorgeous, strings-accompanied score, merged with sounds of wildlife and the whistle of a train, that smoothly oscillates between soothing, melancholic, and menacing.

From The Daily Beast

Surreal, eye-opening, melancholic, thought-provoking… 2020 has been like no other year in this century so far, as those wearing t-shirts with an “All I want for Christmas is 2021” logo will eagerly confirm.

From Search Engine Watch

By 2018, DeepMind’s AI was already outperforming everyone at CASP, provoking some melancholic feelings among the human researchers.

From Vox

Taylor had recently broken off an engagement with the actress Neva Gerber, who complained of his melancholic moods.

From The Daily Beast

For us, this is Louis C.K. and his crabby, melancholic, and profanely funny half-hour comedy.

From The Daily Beast

This ungainly man soon percolated in my own melancholic imagination.

From The Daily Beast

Maintaining tight eye contact, the butlers pluck out audience members for a gripping, melancholic dance.

From The Daily Beast

At first blush, it brings to mind the sultry, melancholic croon of Lana Del Rey.

From The Daily Beast

The immediate cause of the development of such a melancholic state is always some unfortunate event in the course of life.

From Project Gutenberg

Melancholic conditions are frequently found in successive generations of the same family.

From Project Gutenberg

In many cases the refusal of food is associated with the patient's melancholic delusions.

From Project Gutenberg

His face, now almost serene with a melancholic good nature, contrasted with the somber severity of his companion.

From Project Gutenberg

His keen, thoughtful dark eye marked the nervous and melancholic temperament.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• gloomy
• lugubrious
• melancholy
• wistful