# melancholic

/ˌmɛɫənˈkɑɫɪk/ (US) · /mˌɛlənkˈɒlɪk/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/melancholic
Updated: 2026-05-28

## Definition

a person who is often sad or has a very sad mood. This word is quite old-fashioned and people rarely use it in modern conversation.

For teachers: a person prone to or affected by melancholy.

## Examples

- The melancholic wandered the streets at dusk.
- In the old play, the melancholic spends the entire second act alone in the garden, reflecting on his past.
- The poet's melancholic was a figure of great introspection, often depicted in the margins of the court, observing the festivities with a sense of quiet sorrow.

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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.