melancholy
MEH-luhn-kuh-lee
Melancholy (noun) means a deep, thoughtful sadness, often tinged with nostalgia. Example: “A gentle melancholy settled over her as she packed up the old house.”
noun
1
A deep, thoughtful sadness, often tinged with nostalgia.
"A gentle melancholy settled over her as she packed up the old house."
adjective
1
Sad or gloomy in a wistful, reflective way.
"He hummed a melancholy tune on the walk home."
How to use melancholy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA soft, lingering sadness — more wistful than sharp grief.
Common pairings
a melancholy mood
tinged with melancholy
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Word forms
- Plural
- melancholies
- Comparative
- more melancholy
- Superlative
- most melancholy
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A gentle _____ settled over her as she packed up the old house.
Etymology
From Greek melankholia ("black bile") — ancient medicine believed an excess of this bodily humor caused sadness and gloom.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for melancholy
See all rhymes for melancholy →Frequently asked questions
What does “melancholy” mean?
The word “melancholy” means a deep, thoughtful sadness, often tinged with nostalgia. In plain terms, a soft, lingering sadness — more wistful than sharp grief.
How do you pronounce “melancholy”?
“Melancholy” is pronounced MEH-luhn-kuh-lee (/ˈmɛl.ənˌkɑ.li/ in IPA).
How do you use “melancholy” in a sentence?
Here is “melancholy” used in a sentence: “A gentle melancholy settled over her as she packed up the old house.”
What part of speech is “melancholy”?
Depending on how it is used, “melancholy” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “melancholy” come from?
The word “melancholy” comes from Greek. From Greek melankholia ("black bile") — ancient medicine believed an excess of this bodily humor caused sadness and gloom.
Is “melancholy” a common word?
“Melancholy” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C2 level.
How many meanings does “melancholy” have?
“Melancholy” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a deep, thoughtful sadness, often tinged with nostalgia.
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