mournful

American  

[mawrn-fuhl, mohrn-] / ˈmɔrn fəl, ˈmoʊrn- /

adjective

1. feeling or expressing sorrow or grief; sorrowful; sad.

2. of or relating to mourning mourning for the dead.

3. causing grief or lament.

   a mournful occasion.

4. gloomy, somber, or dreary, as in appearance or character.

   mournful shadows.

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mournful British  

/ ˈmɔːnfʊl /

adjective

1. evoking grief; sorrowful

2. gloomy; sad

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Other Word Forms

• mournfully adverb
• mournfulness noun
• overmournful adjective
• overmournfully adverb
• overmournfulness noun
• unmournful adjective
• unmournfully adverb

Etymology

Origin of mournful

First recorded in 1375–1425, mournful is from the late Middle English word morneful. See mourn, -ful

Example Sentences

As for artfully implying this event picture’s deft blend of action and drama, the campaign chose a contemplative, mournful image of its star for the main poster.

From Los Angeles Times

The mournful irony underlying the somewhat schematic plot is that they never can quite find themselves in sync, despite the bonds between them.

From The Wall Street Journal

It’s a moment of breathtaking poise and mournful feeling, and it prepares us for what’s to come, when Ms. Huston delivers a monologue about a long-lost love with quiet, devastating force.

From The Wall Street Journal

The album also contains the tender yet mournful “One Wish,” which Lenae wrote about her dad not being around as she was growing up.

From Los Angeles Times

Woo lets out a mournful “Woo!” before tugging at my hair.

From Literature

Related Words

• anguished
• forlorn
• sad