plaintive
0 synonyms and 0 antonyms for plaintive, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Sounding sad, mournful, or full of longing.
We haven't recorded synonyms for plaintive yet. You can still read its full definition, where it comes from, or words that rhyme with it.
How to use plaintive
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old French pleintif, "lamenting," from plainte, "complaint" — a doublet of "plaintiff."
Full origin of plaintive →Frequently asked questions
What does “plaintive” mean?
The word “plaintive” means sounding sad, mournful, or full of longing. In plain terms, describes a sound or tone that expresses sadness or longing, often a bit wistful.
How do you pronounce “plaintive”?
“Plaintive” is pronounced PLAYN-tihv (/ˈpleɪntɪv/ in IPA).
How do you use “plaintive” in a sentence?
Here is “plaintive” used in a sentence: “The violin played a plaintive melody.”
What part of speech is “plaintive”?
“Plaintive” is an adjective.
Where does the word “plaintive” come from?
The word “plaintive” comes from Old French. From Old French pleintif, "lamenting," from plainte, "complaint" — a doublet of "plaintiff.".