This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
pathos
[ pey-thos, -thohs, -thaws ]
/ ËpeÉŞ θÉs, -θoĘs, -θÉs /
See the most commonly confused word associated with pathos
Save This Word!
This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
noun
the quality or power in an actual life experience or in literature, music, speech, or other forms of expression, of evoking a feeling of pity, or of sympathetic and kindly sorrow or compassion.
pity.
Obsolete. suffering.
COMPARE MEANINGS
Click for a side-by-side comparison of meanings. Use the word comparison feature to learn the differences between similar and commonly confused words.
QUIZ
QUIZ YOURSELF ON âITSâ VS. âITâSâ!
Apostrophes can be tricky; prove you know the difference between "itâs" and "its" in this crafty quiz!
Question 1 of 8
On the farm, the feed for chicks is significantly different from the roostersâ; ______ not even comparable.
Origin of pathos
First recorded in 1570â80; from Greek pĂĄthos âsuffering, sensation, experience,â akin to pĂĄschein âto suffer, feel, be affectedâ; cf. pathetic
WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH pathos
bathos, pathosWords nearby pathos
pathologize, pathology, pathomimesis, pathomorphism, pathophysiology, pathos, pathosis, pathway, -pathy, Patiala, patience
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Š Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use pathos in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for pathos
pathos
/ (ËpeɪθÉs) /
noun
the quality or power, esp in literature or speech, of arousing feelings of pity, sorrow, etc
a feeling of sympathy or pitya stab of pathos
Word Origin for pathos
C17: from Greek: suffering; related to penthos sorrow
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
Š William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 Š HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012