Words / C2

DOHLFL/ˈdəʊlfl/

Doleful means expressing sorrow; mournful in look or sound: a doleful look, a doleful tune. Sad (already in the dictionary) is everyday; to mourn (already in the dictionary) is to grieve. Lamentable (already in the dictionary) is regrettably poor — a judgement of quality, not of a face. Blithe (already in the dictionary) is carelessly cheerful — the contrast. Dolorous and elegiac (this batch) are literary sorrow. Mood is not a flame-risk decision.

Meaning

Expressing sorrow; mournful in look or sound.

Examples

• “A doleful “noted” beside an open flame risk is not a decision.”
• “Sad is everyday (already in A1). To mourn is to grieve (already in B2). Lamentable is deplorably poor (already in C2) — the mix-up. Blithe is carelessly cheerful (already in C2) — the contrast. This batch: dolorous / elegiac. A quiet person can still own the door. “Noted” with no owner is an empty minute. Name the date; leave the hush for after the close-out.”

Good to know

Mournful; sorrowful in look. Everyday: sad (already in this dictionary). Mix-up: lamentable (poor — already in C2). Contrast: blithe (already in C2). This batch: dolorous / elegiac. Mood ≠ a flame.

Near in meaning

mournful, sorrowful, woeful, melancholy

New