Showing results for "mourning"

• present participle of mourn.

mourning

American  

[mawr-ning, mohr-] / ˈmɔr nɪŋ, ˈmoʊr- /

noun

1. the act of a person who mourns; sorrowing or lamentation.

   Antonyms:

   rejoicing

2. the conventional manifestation of sorrow for a person's death, especially by the wearing of black clothes or a black armband, the hanging of flags at half-mast, etc.

3. the outward symbols of such sorrow, as black garments.

4. the period or interval during which a person grieves or formally expresses grief, as by wearing black garments.

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adjective

1. of, relating to, or used in mourning.

mourning British  

/ ˈmɔːnɪŋ /

noun

1. the act or feelings of one who mourns; grief

2. the conventional symbols of grief, such as the wearing of black

3. the period of time during which a death is officially mourned

4. observing the conventions of mourning

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adjective

1. of or relating to mourning

Other Word Forms

• unmourning
  adjective
• mourningly
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of mourning

before 900; Middle English (noun, adj.); Old English murnung (noun). See mourn, -ing ¹, -ing ²

Explanation

Mourning is a time of sadness because of a loss. When you're in mourning after a loved one dies, it is good to lean on your friends who understand why you are so sad. Mourning is an expression of grief or a time of grieving that follows a loved one's death or other serious loss. Depression, confusion, even losing interest in friends and social activities all can occur when someone is in mourning. An old-fashioned meaning of mourning is specifically the black clothing people traditionally wear following a death. Don't confuse mourning with morning, the early part of the day.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

mourning

Children with their parents did the same, some of them taking selfies as police officers, mourning locals and some tourists stood by.

From Barron's ● Aug. 26, 2026

“Refusing to tear my clothes and smear ashes on my face in performative mourning for a white man that espoused violence is … not the same as violence,” Attiah said in another post.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 24, 2026

Virtual places of mourning, anonymous social media posts, and online protests seem to be the most strident action many civilians here can afford to take.

From BBC ● Aug. 23, 2026

ZZ Top is mourning the loss of longtime drummer Frank Beard, who has died at age 77 after years of facing health-related issues.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 18, 2026

His tie was solid black, and on the sleeve of his gray coat there was the mourning band that he had sewn there.

From "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter" by Carson McCullers

Related Words

• grief