mourning
Americannoun
-
the act of a person who mourns; sorrowing or lamentation.
- Antonyms:
- rejoicing
-
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
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
-
observing the conventions of mourning
adjective
Other Word Forms
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.
Vocabulary lists containing mourning
"The Great Gatsby," Chapter 1 Vocabulary
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"Julius Caesar" by William Shakespeare, Act III
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Ghost Boys
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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.
Tenerife said in a statement they will commence six official days of mourning, with all club activities suspended during this time.
From BBC ● Nov. 4, 2026
The Aug. 24 Old Town fire did more than $13 million damage, destroying a boutique, gastropub and theater, and leaving residents mourning the destruction of the heart of the Santa Clarita community.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 30, 2026
A man mourning the loss of his wife is offered respite from his grief by the promise of a job with an art exhibition on an island refuge for the extremely wealthy.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 30, 2026
As the anniversary approaches, the Catholic Church has called for nationwide masses to honour the victims, while the main opposition party, Chadema, has announced a seven-day mourning period.
From Barron's ● Oct. 29, 2026
To the nation, Black Easter dawned as a day of great mourning; to John Wilkes Booth, it began as a day of salvation.
From "Chasing Lincoln's Killer" by James L. Swanson
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Get a wordDefinitions 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.
