Weltschmerz
Americannoun
noun
Etymology
Origin of Weltschmerz
First recorded in 1860–65; literally, “world-pain,” from Welt world ( def. ) + Schmerz “pain”; see smart ( def. ) (in the sense “pain”)
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.
It’s a sure cure for any lingering Weltschmerz.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 24, 2025
This is even more surprising, given that what the German novelist Jean Paul christened Weltschmerz has seemingly been in steady decline for the last 10 years.
From The Guardian • Feb. 3, 2016
The crass Buck is less interested in discussing Tony’s sudden bout of Weltschmerz than he is in ushering him off to the Japanese restaurant where their dates await.
From New York Times • Dec. 6, 2011
Soprano Dow, who comes from Texas, may not have so much Weltschmerz in her polished voice as Schoenberg had in mind, but she sings with great accuracy and lyrical ease.
From Time Magazine Archive
Although sometimes loosely used as synonyms, it is necessary to note that there is a well-defined distinction between Weltschmerz and pessimism.
From Types of Weltschmerz in German Poetry by Braun, Wilhelm Alfred
Definitions 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.
