lugubrious

[ loo-goo-bree-uhs, -gyoo- ]

adjective

1. mournful, dismal, or gloomy, especially in an affected, exaggerated, or unrelieved manner:

   lugubrious songs of lost love.

   Synonyms: melancholy, sorrowful

   Antonyms: cheerful

lugubrious

/ lʊˈɡuːbrɪəs /

adjective

1. excessively mournful; doleful

Derived Forms

• luˈgubriously, adverb
• luˈgubriousness, noun

Other Words From

• lu·gubri·ous·ly adverb
• lu·gubri·ous·ness lu·gu·bri·os·i·ty [l, uh, -goo-bree-, os, -i-tee, -gyoo-], noun
• nonlu·gubri·ous adjective
• nonlu·gubri·ous·ly adverb
• nonlu·gubri·ous·ness noun
• unlu·gubri·ous adjective
• unlu·gubri·ous·ly adverb
• unlu·gubri·ous·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of lugubrious¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; from Latin lūgubri(s) “mournful” (akin to lūgēre “to mourn”) + -ous

Word History and Origins

Origin of lugubrious¹

C17: from Latin lūgubris mournful, from lūgēre to grieve

Example Sentences

She is likely to shoehorn her pain into lugubrious scenarios that are perfect for country-music videos.

From The Daily Beast

Death is not a lugubrious occasion here, but more often a celebration of a life.

From The Daily Beast

Impressed by the lugubrious scene, Aguinaldo yielded, and the next day peace negotiations were opened.

From Project Gutenberg

Frances was still looking somewhat lugubrious when the door opened and Miss Mildmay senior came in.

From Project Gutenberg

These are the most lugubrious nuptial felicitations that ever were offered to a bridegroom, I should fancy!

From Project Gutenberg

A lugubrious quail doled forth a grating, dismal note at long but measured intervals, offending the ear and depressing the heart.

From Project Gutenberg

He put his fingers to his ears, but the lugubrious noise passed those barriers, and made its way into his heart.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• bleak
• mournful
• sorrowful