pity

American  

[pit-ee] / ˈpɪt i /

noun

plural

pities

1. sympathetic or kindly sorrow evoked by the suffering, distress, or misfortune of another, often leading one to give relief or aid or to show mercy.

   to feel pity for a starving child.

   Synonyms:

   compassion, commiseration

2. a cause or reason for pity, sorrow, or regret.

   What a pity you could not go!

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adjective

1. motivated by a sense of pity or sympathy for others or for oneself.

   It seems he got the pity vote because of his personality, but his singing just wasn’t that great.

verb (used with object)

pitied, pitying

1. to feel pity or compassion for; be sorry for; commiserate with.

verb (used without object)

pitied, pitying

1. to have compassion; feel pity.

idioms

1. have / take pity, to show mercy or compassion.

pity British  

/ ˈpɪtɪ /

noun

1. sympathy or sorrow felt for the sufferings of another

2. to have sympathy or show mercy for

3. something that causes regret or pity

4. an unfortunate chance

   what a pity you can't come

5. it is highly regrettable (that)

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verb

1. (tr) to feel pity for

pity More Idioms  

1. see for one's (pity's) sake; take pity on.

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Related Words

See sympathy .

Other Word Forms

• outpity verb (used with object)
• pitying adjective
• pityingly adverb
• unpitied adjective

Etymology

Origin of pity

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English pite, from Old French pite, earlier pitet, from Latin pietāt- (stem of pietās “dutiful respect, sense of duty”); piety

Example Sentences

Rowan was filled with pity for his suffering and wonder at his courage.

From Literature

His teacher and the tour guide hadn’t noticed, but there was a ring of titters and pitying glances from his classmates.

From Literature

He saw the pity in Kenny’s eyes and knew the young man thought grief was making him grasp at impossibilities.

From Literature

Well, even if she had gone there—as some sort of pity case, I reasoned—I knew she hadn’t been top student.

From Literature

He was small in build and didn’t look much beyond primary school age, and it filled me with pity to see him doubled over, hacking like an old man.

From Literature

Related Words

• compassion
• condolence
• empathy
• kindness
• melancholy
• mercy
• sadness
• sorrow
• sympathy
• tenderness
• warmth