sorrow
SO-roh
Sorrow (noun) means Deep sadness, especially over a loss. Example: “Her sorrow was clear on her face at the funeral.”
noun
1
Deep sadness, especially over a loss.
"Her sorrow was clear on her face at the funeral."
"He never fully recovered from the sorrow of losing his son."
"A quiet sorrow settled over the house after the old dog died."
verb
1
To feel or express deep sadness; to grieve.
"The whole village sorrowed over the loss of their beloved teacher."
"He sorrowed quietly at the graveside, unable to speak."
"The family sorrowed for a long time after the fire destroyed their home."
How to use sorrow
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDeep, often lasting sadness — heavier and more formal than "sadness."
Common mistake
Not related to "sorry" or "sore" despite looking alike — a coincidence of English spelling.
When to use it
A somewhat literary or formal word; everyday speech usually says "sadness" or "grief" instead.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
deep sorrow
a time of sorrow
tears of sorrow
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Word forms
- Plural
- sorrows
- Third person singular
- sorrows
- Past tense
- sorrowed
Fill the gap
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Her _____ was clear on her face at the funeral.
Etymology
From Old English sorg ("care, grief"). Despite the resemblance, it is not historically related to "sorry" or "sore."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for sorrow
See all rhymes for sorrow →Frequently asked questions
What does “sorrow” mean?
The word “sorrow” means deep sadness, especially over a loss. In plain terms, deep, often lasting sadness — heavier and more formal than "sadness.".
How do you pronounce “sorrow”?
“Sorrow” is pronounced SO-roh (/ˈsɑɹoʊ/ in IPA).
How do you use “sorrow” in a sentence?
Here is “sorrow” used in a sentence: “Her sorrow was clear on her face at the funeral.”
What part of speech is “sorrow”?
Depending on how it is used, “sorrow” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “sorrow” come from?
The word “sorrow” comes from Old English. From Old English sorg ("care, grief"). Despite the resemblance, it is not historically related to "sorry" or "sore.".
Is “sorrow” a common word?
“Sorrow” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “sorrow” have?
“Sorrow” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: deep sadness, especially over a loss.
What is the difference between sorrow and grief?
Sorrow is a general term for deep sadness, often over a loss, while grief usually refers specifically to the intense sorrow felt after someone dies. Sorrow can also apply to sadness over mistakes, disappointments, or misfortunes that don't involve death.
Is sorrow a stronger word than sadness?
Yes, sorrow generally implies a deeper, more lasting sadness than the everyday word sadness. It is often used in serious or literary contexts to describe profound emotional pain, especially connected to loss.
Can sorrow be used as a verb?
Yes, sorrow can function as a verb meaning to feel or express deep sadness, as in "she sorrowed over the loss of her home." This verb use is somewhat formal or literary and less common than the noun form.
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