Word
melancholy
Meanings
a quiet, lasting feeling of sadness and pensiveness
having a sad, thoughtful mood or quality
a sadly beautiful atmosphere in art, music, or writing
Definition
Melancholy is a deep, quiet sadness that lasts for a while.
Melancholy is a feeling of gentle but persistent sadness, often mixed with thoughtfulness. It can describe an emotional mood, or the kind of atmosphere in art, music, or writing that feels sadly beautiful. It is usually calmer and more reflective than strong grief.
Examples
- A sense of melancholy stayed with her after the trip ended.
- The film has a melancholy tone that lingers long after it’s over.
- He felt melancholy on Sunday evenings before work.
- There was something melancholy about the empty playground at sunset.
Common mistake
Learners often confuse melancholy with grief; melancholy is usually quieter and more reflective than intense sorrow after a major loss.
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