mourning

[ mawr-ning, mohr- ]

/ ˈmɔr nɪŋ, ˈmoʊr- /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR mourning ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

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

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.

the outward symbols of such sorrow, as black garments.

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

adjective

of, relating to, or used in mourning.

Nearby words

mourne mountains, mourner, mourner's kaddish, mourners' bench, mournful, mourning, mourning band, mourning becomes electra, mourning cloak, mourning dove, mourning iris

Origin of mourning

before 900; Middle English (noun, adj.); Old English murnung (noun). See mourn, -ing¹, -ing²

ANTONYMS FOR mourning

1 rejoicing.

SEE MORE ANTONYMS FOR mourning ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

mourn·ing·ly, adverbun·mourn·ing, adjective

Definition for mourning (2 of 2)

mourn

[ mawrn, mohrn ]

/ mɔrn, moʊrn /

verb (used without object)

to feel or express sorrow or grief.

to grieve or lament for the dead.

to show the conventional or usual signs of sorrow over a person's death.

verb (used with object)

to feel or express sorrow or grief over (misfortune, loss, or anything regretted); deplore.

to grieve or lament over (the dead).

to utter in a sorrowful manner.

Origin of mourn

before 900; Middle English mo(u)rnen, Old English murnan; cognate with Old High German mornēn, Old Norse morna, Gothic maurnan

SYNONYMS FOR mourn

1 bewail, bemoan. See grieve.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR mourn ON THESAURUS.COM

ANTONYMS FOR mourn

1 laugh, rejoice.

SEE MORE ANTONYMS FOR mourn ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

o·ver·mourn, verbun·mourned, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for mourning

The late-November hacking of Sony, perhaps the most vicious episode of its kind, comes at the end of the period of mourning.
Kim Jong Un’s Kid Gloves Are Now Off|Gordon G. Chang|December 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Now that the Confucian-inspired mourning period is over, the son is free to embark on his own programs and policies.
Kim Jong Un’s Kid Gloves Are Now Off|Gordon G. Chang|December 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Soon after Abu Ein died, the Palestinian Authority announced three days of mourning.
Palestinian Cabinet Member Dies in Confrontation with Israeli Soldier|Creede Newton|December 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A Fish and Wildlife special agent collected the bodies of two birds at the site, a redhead duck and a mourning dove.
Two Texas Regulators Tried to Enforce the Rules. They Were Fired.|David Hasemyer, InsideClimate News|December 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST

So while mourning the closing of De Robertis, consider that we might someday mourn the bankruptcy of whatever chain replaces it.
De Robertis, a New York Great, Bids Farewell|Lizzie Crocker|December 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In his own estimate, the most honorable trait of his character was that "no Athenian through his means had ever put on mourning."
Greek Sculpture|Estelle M. Hurll
“I am sorry to observe you are in mourning, sir,” said Mrs. Steerforth.
The Personal History of David Copperfield |Charles Dickens
My mourning, in the choice of which I had taken no share, was in material the most expensive, and in form of the highest fashion.
Discipline|Mary Brunton
She had never put on mourning for her husband, always cherishing the delusive hope that he would some day return.
Johnny Ludlow, Third Series|Mrs. Henry Wood
"Widowed and fatherless; God pity them," came in a low voice from a sad-faced woman, clad in the sable robes of mourning.
Clemence|Retta Babcock

British Dictionary definitions for mourning (1 of 2)

mourning

/ (ˈmɔːnɪŋ) /

noun

the act or feelings of one who mourns; grief

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

the period of time during which a death is officially mourned

in mourning observing the conventions of mourning

adjective

of or relating to mourning

Derived Forms

mourningly, adverb

British Dictionary definitions for mourning (2 of 2)

mourn

/ (mɔːn) /

verb

to feel or express sadness for the death or loss of (someone or something)

(intr) to observe the customs of mourning, as by wearing black

(tr) to grieve over (loss or misfortune)

Word Origin for mourn

Old English murnan; compare Old High German mornēn to be troubled, Gothic maurnan to grieve, Greek mermeros worried

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012