adjective
-
evoking grief; sorrowful
-
gloomy; sad
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In it, Slayyyter explores her hometown roots, family dynamics and desire at her most trashy, mournful, hungry and loud; as the “Worst Girl in America,” Slayyyter is raw.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 25, 2026
January’s spending data told a mournful story: Americans are spending more on healthcare and housing, and pulling back on clothing, cars, and just about everything else.
From Barron's • Mar. 13, 2026
"Oh Dipu, where is my Dipu?" she cries, collapsing into a mournful lament.
From BBC • Feb. 15, 2026
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 • Dec. 9, 2025
That night Armando and Ricardo blended into the mournful face of Johannes Vélez.
From "When I Was Puerto Rican" by Esmeralda Santiago
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
