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View synonyms for melancholy

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
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

adjective

  1. characterized by, causing, or expressing sadness, dejection, etc
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˈmelanˌcholiness, noun
  • melancholily, adverb
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Other Words From

  • melan·choli·ly adverb
  • melan·choli·ness noun
  • un·melan·choly adjective
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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
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Word History and Origins

Origin of melancholy1

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

His languorous voice can tend towards the melancholy, but the lyrics are full of hope.

From BBC

Desplat introduces his main theme, a melancholy, bluesy tune that he wanted to evoke both eerie film noir and the “tragic story of the heritage of slavery.”

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.

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

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