mourning

[ mawr-ning, mohr- ]

noun

1. the act of a person who mourns; sorrowing or lamentation.

   Antonyms: rejoicing

2. the conventional manifestation of sorrow for a person's death, especially by the wearing of black clothes or a black armband, the hanging of flags at half-mast, etc.
3. the outward symbols of such sorrow, as black garments.
4. the period or interval during which a person grieves or formally expresses grief, as by wearing black garments.

adjective

1. of, relating to, or used in mourning.

mourning

/ ˈmɔːnɪŋ /

noun

1. the act or feelings of one who mourns; grief
2. the conventional symbols of grief, such as the wearing of black
3. the period of time during which a death is officially mourned
4. in mourning
   observing the conventions of mourning

adjective

1. of or relating to mourning

Derived Forms

• ˈmourningly, adverb

Other Words From

• mourning·ly adverb
• un·mourning adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of mourning¹

before 900; Middle English (noun, adj.); Old English murnung (noun). See mourn, -ing ¹, -ing ²

Related Words

• grief