# sorrow

/ˈsɑɹoʊ/ (US) · /sˈɒɹəʊ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/sorrow
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. deep sadness

noun · CEFR B2

a very strong feeling of sadness or grief.

For teachers: a state of intense distress or unhappiness caused by loss, disappointment, or misfortune.

- He felt a great sense of sorrow after his old dog passed away.
- The community expressed deep sorrow following the news of the factory closure, which had been the town's primary employer for decades.

### 2. a cause of sadness

noun · CEFR C1 · Literary

a specific event or trouble that makes you feel sad.

For teachers: a specific cause or instance of grief or misfortune; frequently used in the plural form.

- She had experienced many sorrows in her long life, but she remained kind.
- The poet wrote extensively about the joys and sorrows of rural life, capturing the harsh realities of the changing seasons.

### 3. to feel grief

verb · CEFR C2 · Literary · Formal

to feel or show great sadness.

For teachers: to experience or express deep distress or regret; functions both transitively and intransitively.

- The whole nation sorrowed at the loss of their leader.
- They sorrowed over the missed opportunities of their youth, reflecting on paths not taken with a quiet, dignified regret.

## Examples

- She felt great sorrow after her dog died.
- The whole community shared in the family's sorrow during the memorial service.
- The poet explores the depths of human sorrow, illustrating how grief can transform one's perspective on the passage of time.

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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.