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

• mourningly
  adverb
• unmourning
  adjective

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

The U.S. stock and bond markets will both be shut on Monday for Memorial Day, the federal holiday for mourning fallen U.S. military personnel.

From Barron's • May 22, 2026

“The Sheep Detectives” is both a powerful story about mourning and a warning against the peril of mindwiping inconvenient histories.

From Salon • May 17, 2026

However, there are many families in Ranya like Shwana's, who are left mourning a lost loved one, and there is some evidence that people are becoming more willing to speak out against the smuggling trade.

From BBC • May 12, 2026

The Simi Valley community is mourning the loss of a 13-year-old baseball player who was fatally struck by an Amtrak train while riding an e-bike.

From Los Angeles Times • May 12, 2026

As the head of the family and chief mourner, Jinjoo’s father stayed at the home of the deceased with Gomo for the entire mourning period.

From "Finding Junie Kim" by Ellen Oh

Related Words

• grief