noun
Niobe
NUH-ih-uh-bee
Niobe (noun) means (literary) A woman overwhelmed by grief, especially one weeping endlessly for lost children. Example: “She stood at the graveside like a modern Niobe, unable to stop crying.”
noun
1
(literary) A woman overwhelmed by grief, especially one weeping endlessly for lost children.
"She stood at the graveside like a modern Niobe, unable to stop crying."
How to use Niobe
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA literary way to describe a woman consumed by grief, drawn from an ancient Greek myth.
When to use it
Formal and literary — rarely used in everyday speech.
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like Niobe.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- Niobes
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She stood at the graveside like a modern _____, unable to stop crying.
Etymology
From Niobe, a figure in Greek mythology who wept so long after losing her children that she was turned to stone.
Rhymes for Niobe
See all rhymes for Niobe →Frequently asked questions
What does “Niobe” mean?
The word “Niobe” means (literary) A woman overwhelmed by grief, especially one weeping endlessly for lost children. In plain terms, a literary way to describe a woman consumed by grief, drawn from an ancient Greek myth.
How do you pronounce “Niobe”?
“Niobe” is pronounced NUH-ih-uh-bee (/ˈnaɪ.oʊ.bi/ in IPA).
How do you use “Niobe” in a sentence?
Here is “Niobe” used in a sentence: “She stood at the graveside like a modern Niobe, unable to stop crying.”
What part of speech is “Niobe”?
“Niobe” is a noun.
Where does the word “Niobe” come from?
The word “Niobe” comes from Greek. From Niobe, a figure in Greek mythology who wept so long after losing her children that she was turned to stone.
