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doleful

adjective

/ˈdəʊlfʊl/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of doleful

Mournful, sorrowful, or filled with sadness, often characterized by a sense of melancholy or grief.
"The doleful lyrics of the song spoke to the artist's personal struggles."

Detailed meaning of doleful

When a person or situation is described as doleful, it implies a deep and poignant feeling of sadness or unhappiness, often accompanied by a mournful expression or demeanor. This term conveys a sense of heartfelt sorrow and may be used to describe a person's mood, a piece of music, or a scene in literature that evokes a strong emotional response. For example, a doleful song might be played at a funeral to honor the departed, or a doleful character in a novel might experience a tragic loss that leads to a profound sense of grief. "Doleful" underscores the idea of a sorrowful and mournful quality, often associated with expressions of sadness and emotional depth.

Example sentences containing doleful

1. The dog gave a doleful look when its owner left the house.
2. She played a doleful melody on the piano that brought tears to everyone's eyes.
3. The rain poured down, reflecting the doleful mood of the funeral attendees.
4. His doleful expression said more than words could ever express about his grief.
5. The singer's doleful voice conveyed the deep emotions of the sorrowful ballad.
6. The once lively garden now appeared doleful and neglected after years of abandonment.

History and etymology of doleful

The adjective 'doleful' finds its etymological origins in Old English, particularly from the word 'dol,' which meant 'sorrow' or 'grief.' In Old English, 'dol' conveyed the sense of being in a state of mourning or experiencing profound sadness. Over time, this term evolved into the modern word 'doleful,' which describes something as mournful, sorrowful, or filled with sadness. 'Doleful' is often used to characterize a sense of melancholy or grief that pervades a situation or a person's demeanor. The etymology of 'doleful' underscores its historical connection to deep and mournful sadness, emphasizing the emotional depth and melancholic tone that the word conveys.

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Further usage examples of doleful

1. She read the letter with a doleful expression, as it brought back painful memories.
2. The cloudy sky and the doleful wind made the day feel melancholic and bleak.
3. His doleful tale of heartbreak and loss touched the hearts of the audience.
4. The poet’s doleful verses were often inspired by the tragedies of his own life.
5. The actor gave a doleful performance, portraying the despair of his character flawlessly.
6. The mourners listened to the doleful toll of the bells as the procession passed.
7. The child's doleful cries for his lost toy could be heard throughout the house.
8. The painting depicted a doleful scene of a village ravaged by war.
9. The doleful ending of the movie left the audience in a reflective and somber mood.
10. Her doleful expression hinted at the sadness within.
11. The doleful melody of the song brought tears to their eyes.
12. He wore a doleful expression after hearing the bad news.
13. The empty house had a doleful air about it.
14. The doleful sound of the funeral bells echoed through the town.
15. The doleful howling of the wind added to the eerie atmosphere.
16. She sang the doleful ballad with great emotion.
17. The abandoned puppy's eyes were doleful and pleading.
18. The old man's doleful reminiscences filled the room.
19. The doleful tale of lost love resonated with many.
20. His doleful sighs revealed his inner turmoil.
21. The doleful scene at the cemetery left everyone in tears.
22. Despite the festivities, she couldn't shake her doleful mood.
23. The doleful news of the disaster cast a pall over the town.
24. In the doleful silence, they mourned their collective loss.