mourn

[ mawrn, mohrn ]

verb (used without object)

1. to feel or express sorrow or grief.

   Synonyms: bemoan, bewail

   Antonyms: rejoice, laugh

2. to grieve or lament for the dead.
3. to show the conventional or usual signs of sorrow over a person's death.

verb (used with object)

1. to feel or express sorrow or grief over (misfortune, loss, or anything regretted); deplore.
2. to grieve or lament over (the dead).
3. to utter in a sorrowful manner.

mourn

/ mɔːn /

verb

1. to feel or express sadness for the death or loss of (someone or something)
2. intr to observe the customs of mourning, as by wearing black
3. tr to grieve over (loss or misfortune)

Other Words From

• over·mourn verb
• un·mourned adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of mourn¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English mo(u)rnen, Old English murnan; cognate with Old High German mornēn, Old Norse morna, Gothic maurnan

Word History and Origins

Origin of mourn¹

Old English murnan; compare Old High German mornēn to be troubled, Gothic maurnan to grieve, Greek mermeros worried

Synonym Study

See grieve.

Example Sentences

“We mourn the passing of Ella Jenkins, one of the most iconic folk musicians of the 20th century, who revolutionized children’s music and inspired generations of listeners around the world,” the label said Sunday in a tweet.

From Los Angeles Times

There will be plenty of opportunities to mourn environmental losses under Trump, but climate warriors should be unquestionably praised for the fruits of their years of efforts.

From Slate

So fervid was the excitement that many local news sites published guides to public election parties, where Bay Area residents could go celebrate or — though no one would dare say it — mourn the results.

From Los Angeles Times

“I’ve been going non-stop since I was 18. I lost my father at 18. I just kept going. I never took to really mourn and process everything. I took time off for myself.”

From Los Angeles Times

Hundreds came to mourn the teen dumped along the 110 Freeway.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• ache
• agonize
• bemoan
• complain
• cry
• deplore
• fret
• grieve
• lament
• moan
• regret
• sob
• wail
• weep
• yearn