melancholy

[ mel-uhn-kol-ee ]

noun

, plural mel·an·chol·ies.

1. a gloomy state of mind, especially when habitual or prolonged; depression.

   Synonyms: despondency, dejection, sadness

   Antonyms: happiness, cheer

2. sober thoughtfulness; pensiveness.

   Synonyms: seriousness

3. Archaic.
   1. the condition of having too much black bile, considered in ancient and medieval medicine to cause gloominess and depression.
   2. black bile.

adjective

1. affected with, characterized by, or showing melancholy; mournful; depressed:

   a melancholy mood.

   Synonyms: downcast, glum, doleful, dismal, dispirited, blue, despondent, gloomy, sorrowful

2. causing melancholy or sadness; saddening:

   a melancholy occasion.

   Antonyms: happy

3. soberly thoughtful; pensive.

   Synonyms: serious

melancholy

/ ˈmɛlənˌkɒlɪlɪ; ˈmɛlənkəlɪ /

noun

1. a constitutional tendency to gloominess or depression
2. a sad thoughtful state of mind; pensiveness
3. archaic.
   1. a gloomy character, thought to be caused by too much black bile
   2. one of the four bodily humours; black bile See humour

adjective

1. characterized by, causing, or expressing sadness, dejection, etc

Derived Forms

• ˈmelanˌcholiness, noun
• melancholily, adverb

Other Words From

• melan·choli·ly adverb
• melan·choli·ness noun
• un·melan·choly adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of melancholy¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English melancholie, from Late Latin melancholia, from Greek melancholía ”condition of having black bile,” equivalent to melan- “black” + chol(ḗ) “bile, gall” + -ia noun suffix; melan(o)-, chol-, -ia

Word History and Origins

Origin of melancholy¹

C14: via Old French from Late Latin melancholia, from Greek melankholia, from melas black + kholē bile

Example Sentences

After Edward elects to undergo an experimental medical treatment, he begins to transform — his old face literally crumbles off — and the theme accentuates his melancholy and metamorphosis with dark beauty and sludgy textures.

From Los Angeles Times

Highlighting the star's intricate choreography, the Independent, awarded four stars, saying "melancholy, oddly intimate" performance "frequently leaves you breathless."

From BBC

The melancholy ad sees Gary continuing a tradition they shared, building a gingerbread house as his way to remember her.

From BBC

I love it for the way it captures history’s impossible vastness with a melancholy sweetness that is savored here.

From Los Angeles Times

The band followed their debut EP with “Murmur,” a 1983 album of melancholy mystery that had no precedent, and became a template for the generation of guitar bands that followed.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• boredom
• despair
• desperation
• despondency
• ennui
• gloom
• grief
• sorrow
• wistfulness