plaintive

[ pleyn-tiv ]

adjective

1. expressing sorrow or melancholy; mournful:

   a plaintive melody.

   Synonyms: sad, sorrowful, wistful

   Antonyms: joyful, happy

plaintive

/ ˈpleɪntɪv /

adjective

1. expressing melancholy; mournful

Derived Forms

• ˈplaintiveness, noun
• ˈplaintively, adverb

Other Words From

• plaintive·ly adverb
• plaintive·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of plaintive¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; plaint + -ive; replacing Middle English plaintif, from Middle French

Word History and Origins

Origin of plaintive¹

C14: from Old French plaintif grieving, from plainte plaint

Example Sentences

The resulting lush and exotic soundscape, featuring plaintive pan flute and sprinkled with birdsong, turned out to be perfect for the game’s spooktastic forest levels.

From New York Times

As Rangers people run around with their hair on fire, those words appear more plaintive than ever.

From BBC

Thursday’s sold-out finale is a definitive retort to the plaintive cry among Oakland fans: Is there anyone that can stop this move?

From Los Angeles Times

One of the most plaintive refrains of the Y2K era was sung by Mark Hoppus of Blink-182: “Well, I guess this is growing up.”

From Los Angeles Times

It’s a plaintive refrain that Coppola has voiced repeatedly throughout his career.

From New York Times

Related Words

• grief-stricken
• heartrending
• melancholy
• mournful
• sad
• sorrowful
• wistful