doleful

/ˈdəʊlfl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈdəʊlfl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈdōl-fəl/ (ame, mw)

doleful — adjective

  • dolefulpositive
  • more dolefulcomparative
  • most dolefulsuperlative

1. showing deep unhappiness, or making people feel that kind of sadness when they s

1.形容詞C1
釋義

showing deep unhappiness, or making people feel that kind of sadness when they see or hear it.

例句

Meera gave a doleful sigh when the rescue dog was adopted first.

collocation: doleful sigh

The old violin made a doleful sound in the empty hall.

collocation: doleful sound

同義詞
  • sad

    Broader and more everyday; it does not sound as heavy or literary

  • mournful

    Often used for sounds, songs, or expressions connected with grief

  • melancholy

    Suggests a quieter, more thoughtful sadness rather than openly visible misery

反義詞
  • cheerful

    Shows bright, happy feelings instead of sadness

  • upbeat

    Suggests lively optimism rather than a heavy mood

文法句型

doleful + face/look/voice/song

be + doleful

用法筆記

Often used for a person's face, voice, or expression, and also for music or scenes that create a sad mood. It sounds stronger and slightly more literary than the everyday adjective sad.

常見錯誤

❌I was doleful that I missed the bus.
✅I was sad that I missed the bus.
💡Doleful usually describes a visible or audible mood of sadness, not an ordinary personal disappointment.