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

With just one episode remaining, the neo-Western sets the stage for sorrowful farewells and fresh beginnings. —Matt Cabral, EW.com, 9 Dec. 2024

For example, a seasoned concierge can often tell if a guest is having a challenging day, is sorrowful or sad about a recent loss, or exhibits other human emotions that show up in quiet cues. —Jennifer C. Wolfe, Esq., Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024

Miss Petersen was by then sitting at her desk, her hands grasping the table as if to steady herself and her subtle tears were now pure sorrowful crying. —Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 27 Nov. 2024

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

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