lament
Lament (verb) means to express deep sorrow or regret over something. Example: “She lamented the loss of her childhood home.”
How to use lament
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo express sadness or regret about something, often publicly or in writing — or a piece of writing/music that does this.
Word forms
lamented past tense, laments plural, laments singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She _____ the loss of her childhood home.
Etymology
A back-formation from "lamentation," or borrowed from Middle French lamenter and Latin lamentor, "to wail or weep."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for lament
Frequently asked questions
What does “lament” mean?
The word “lament” means to express deep sorrow or regret over something. In plain terms, to express sadness or regret about something, often publicly or in writing — or a piece of writing/music that does this.
How do you pronounce “lament”?
“Lament” is pronounced luh-MEHNT (/ləˈmɛnt/ in IPA).
How do you use “lament” in a sentence?
Here is “lament” used in a sentence: “She lamented the loss of her childhood home.”
What is another word for “lament”?
Words with a similar meaning to “lament” include afterthink, becry, begrieve, bemoan, bemourn and bewail.
What is the opposite of “lament”?
The opposite of “lament” — its antonyms — are cheer up and gladden.
What part of speech is “lament”?
Depending on how it is used, “lament” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “lament” come from?
The word “lament” comes from Latin. A back-formation from "lamentation," or borrowed from Middle French lamenter and Latin lamentor, "to wail or weep.".
Is “lament” a common word?
“Lament” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C2 level.