wailful

adjective

wail·​ful ˈwāl-fəl How to pronounce wailful (audio)
1
: uttering a sound suggestive of wailing
2
: expressing grief or pain : sorrowful, mournful
a wailful cry
wailfully adverb

Word History

First Known Use

1544, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of wailful was in 1544

Dictionary Entries Near wailful

Cite this Entry

“Wailful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wailful. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

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