adj
C2
Proficient
forlorn
fuh-LAWN
Forlorn (adj) means Sad and lonely, especially from feeling abandoned. Example: “The dog sat forlorn by the door, waiting for its owner to return.”
adj
1
Sad and lonely, especially from feeling abandoned.
"The dog sat forlorn by the door, waiting for its owner to return."
"She wore a forlorn expression after hearing the news."
2
Unlikely to succeed; nearly hopeless.
"It was a forlorn attempt to save the failing business."
How to use forlorn
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishFeeling sad and abandoned, or describing a hopeless, unlikely-to-work situation.
Common pairings
forlorn hope
a forlorn figure
look forlorn
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Word forms
- Plural
- forlorns
- Comparative
- forlorner, more forlorn
- Superlative
- forlornest, most forlorn
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The dog sat _____ by the door, waiting for its owner to return.
Etymology
From Old English forloren, the past participle of forlēosan ("to lose") — related to "lorn," meaning lost or abandoned.
Antonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “forlorn” mean?
The word “forlorn” means sad and lonely, especially from feeling abandoned. In plain terms, feeling sad and abandoned, or describing a hopeless, unlikely-to-work situation.
How do you pronounce “forlorn”?
“Forlorn” is pronounced fuh-LAWN (/fɚˈlɔɹn/ in IPA).
How do you use “forlorn” in a sentence?
Here is “forlorn” used in a sentence: “The dog sat forlorn by the door, waiting for its owner to return.”
What part of speech is “forlorn”?
“Forlorn” is an adjective.
Where does the word “forlorn” come from?
The word “forlorn” comes from Old English. From Old English forloren, the past participle of forlēosan ("to lose") — related to "lorn," meaning lost or abandoned.
How many meanings does “forlorn” have?
“Forlorn” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: sad and lonely, especially from feeling abandoned.
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