sorrowful

adjective

sor·​row·​ful ˈsär-(ˌ)ō-fəl 

-ə-fəl,

ˈsȯr-

1

: full of or marked by sorrow

a sorrowful goodbye

2

: expressive of or inducing sorrow

sorrowful eyes

sorrowfully

ˈsär-(ˌ)ō-f(ə-)lē 

-ə-f(ə-)lē

ˈsȯr-

adverb

sorrowfulness

ˈsär-(ˌ)ō-fəl-nəs 

-ə-fəl-

ˈsȯr-

noun

Synonyms

• aching
• agonized
• anguished
• bemoaning
• bewailing
• bitter
• deploring
• doleful
• dolesome
• dolorous
• funeral
• grieving
• heartbroken
• lamentable
• lugubrious
• mournful
• plaintive
• plangent
• regretful
• rueful
• sorry
• wailing
• weeping
• woeful

Examples of sorrowful in a Sentence

adopted a sorrowful tone of voice to read the news story about the former governor's death

the cult seemed to be a sorrowful assemblage of emotionally scarred people seeking love and redemption

Recent Examples on the Web

An anthology of new works that reflect events, opinions and sentiments from a fleeting and fatalistic moment in time — one that was both sensational and sorrowful in equal measure. —Austin Curtright, USA TODAY, 20 Apr. 2024

His samples are full of vibrating guitars, sorrowful organs, and cascading drums. —Pitchfork, 15 Oct. 2024

One popular tale involves a woman who lost her child in the woods whose sorrowful spirit is said to still roam the trail. —Paula Conway, Forbes, 9 Oct. 2024

My father, who used to be the calmest man, is so stressed and sorrowful. —Laura King, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

sorrowful

adjective

sor·​row·​ful ˈsär-ō-fəl 

ˈsȯr-,

-ə-fəl

1

: full of or showing sorrow

a sorrowful good-bye

2

: expressive of or causing sorrow

sorrowful eyes

sorrowfully

-f(ə-)lē 

adverb