# grieve

/ˈɡɹiv/ (US) · /ɡɹˈiːv/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/grieve
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

to feel very deep sadness, especially because someone you love has died. You might also use this when you lose something very important to you.

For teachers: to experience intense sorrow or distress, typically following the death of a loved one. Often used intransitively with 'for' or 'over'.

## Examples

- She needs time to grieve for her father.
- The entire community gathered at the park to grieve the loss of the historic library after the fire.
- Psychologists suggest that individuals must be allowed to grieve at their own pace, as the process of reconciling with a permanent loss rarely follows a linear or predictable timeline.

## Pitfalls

- Not "She is grieving of her friend" but "She is grieving for her friend" — When expressing the person being mourned, use the preposition 'for' rather than 'of'.

## Usage notes

- Can be used intransitively (to grieve for someone) or transitively (to grieve a loss).

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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.