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

His death triggered widespread mourning and experts say it left a leadership void in the group's image with the public.

From BBC ● Oct. 12, 2026

As that drama was unfolding, Dailor was already mourning the loss of his mother.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 12, 2026

The goal of mourning is to make that phrase true: The memory of the dead actually improves our physical lives and our moral selves.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 8, 2026

Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu has declared three days of national mourning after a military aircraft crashed in southern Ondo State, killing 32 people.

From BBC ● Oct. 6, 2026

We were old enough to add our voices to the songs of mourning and rejoicing that he was in a better place.

From "Root Magic" by Eden Royce

Related Words

• grief