# mournful

/ˈmɔɹnfəɫ/ (US) · /mˈɔːnfəl/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/mournful
Updated: 2026-05-30

## Definition

feeling or showing deep sadness. You use this to describe someone who is very upset, like after a death, or a sound that is very sad to hear.

For teachers: expressing or feeling deep sorrow and grief. Often describes a person's demeanor or a sound that evokes a sense of loss.

## Examples

- The dog gave a mournful howl in the middle of the night.
- The crowd stood in a mournful silence as the funeral procession passed through the village square.
- The composer used a low, mournful melody to capture the protagonist's sense of isolation and regret after the long journey home.

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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.