# dolorous

/ˈdoʊləɹəs/ (US) · CEFR C2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/dolorous
Updated: 2026-09-29

## Definition

feeling or showing great sadness or pain. It describes a mood or look that is very unhappy.

For teachers: marked by, causing, or expressing grief or sorrow. Often used in literary contexts to describe a mournful physical appearance or atmosphere.

## Examples

- The music had a dolorous tone that made everyone feel sad.
- The widow sat in the front row with a dolorous expression that silenced the entire room.
- The poet's later works are characterized by a dolorous preoccupation with mortality, reflecting the personal losses he suffered during the war.

## Usage notes

- Typically used attributively before a noun; carries a formal or literary tone.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.