Words / C1

PLAYNT-iv/ˈpleɪntɪv/

Plaintive means sounding sad and mournful: a plaintive caption, a plaintive note. Sad (already in the dictionary) is everyday; a mournful line does not fill a cell.

Meaning

Sounding sad and mournful (from sad, already in the dictionary).

Examples

• “A plaintive caption for an empty cell is still a cover hole.”
• “Sad is already in this course. Mournful is the close twin. A caption is comms. A name on the log is cover. Write the name; then keep the caption if the sitting still stands.”

Good to know

Sad and mournful in tone. Everyday: sad (already in the dictionary). A caption ≠ cover.

Near in meaning

mournful, wistful, sad

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