English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
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adj

sorrowful

SO-roh-fuhl
adj
1
Feeling or showing deep sadness.
"She gave a sorrowful smile as she said goodbye."
2
Causing sadness or grief.
"It was a sorrowful tale of loss and hardship."

How to Use Sorrowful

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishFull of sorrow — sad, whether describing a person's expression or a sad event.

Common pairings
sorrowful expression sorrowful news a sorrowful sigh

Word Forms

more sorrowful comparative, most sorrowful superlative

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

She gave a _____ smile as she said goodbye.

Etymology

From sorrow + -ful, built the same way as "hopeful" or "joyful."

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial