forlorn

/fəˈlɔːn/ (bre, ipa) · /fərˈlɔːrn/ (ame, ipa) · /fər-ˈlȯrn fȯr-/ (ame, mw)

forlorn — adjective

  • forlornpositive
  • more forlorncomparative
  • most forlornsuperlative

1. feeling deeply sad because other people have left you without care or comfort

1.形容詞C1
釋義

feeling deeply sad because other people have left you without care or comfort

例句

After the funeral, Sumin sat forlorn on the back steps alone.

pattern: sit/look/feel forlorn after a loss

The lost dog gave Romi a forlorn look from the shelter cage.

collocation: forlorn look

同義詞
  • lonely

    weaker and more general; 'forlorn' adds abandonment and visible sadness

  • desolate

    stronger and more literary, often suggesting complete emotional ruin

  • abandoned

    focuses on being left by others, while 'forlorn' also describes the sad feeling or look

反義詞
  • comforted

    suggests someone has received support after pain or loss

  • cheerful

    describes an obviously happy mood rather than a sad one

文法句型

a forlorn child/look/figure

feel forlorn

look forlorn

用法筆記

Usually describes a person, face, or expression after loss, rejection, or neglect. Distinguish from sense 2, which describes a sad-looking place rather than a person or creature.

常見錯誤

❌I felt lonely in the hotel room, so I was forlorn.
✅I felt forlorn after my friends left me alone in the hotel room.
💡'forlorn' usually adds the idea of being abandoned or left without comfort, not simply being by yourself.

2. making you feel sad because a place is empty, neglected, and without life in it

2.形容詞C1
釋義

making you feel sad because a place is empty, neglected, and without life in it

例句

A forlorn playground stood behind the closed factory all winter.

forlorn + place noun

Sofia walked past the forlorn station with broken lights and no staff.

同義詞
  • deserted

    focuses on having no people, but not necessarily on emotional sadness

  • bleak

    often stresses harshness or coldness more than neglect

  • desolate

    close in meaning, but often stronger and more dramatic

反義詞
  • lively

    full of people, movement, or energy

  • welcoming

    suggests warmth and care rather than emptiness

文法句型

a forlorn town/station/garden

look forlorn

用法筆記

Used for places that seem deserted and uncared for. Distinguish from sense 1, which focuses on a person's feelings or expression, and from sense 3, which is about little chance of success.

常見錯誤

❌The library was forlorn because it was quiet.
✅The library looked forlorn after the roof leaked and everyone moved out.
💡'forlorn' for places suggests emptiness and neglect, not simply a peaceful or quiet atmosphere.

3. so unlikely to work or happen that success seems almost impossible

3.形容詞C1
釋義

so unlikely to work or happen that success seems almost impossible

例句

Bilal made a forlorn attempt to catch the train after it moved.

collocation: forlorn attempt

The club's forlorn bid for new funding ended after one short meeting.

collocation: forlorn bid

同義詞
  • hopeless

    stronger; often suggests there is no real chance at all

  • unlikely

    more neutral and factual, with less emotional force

  • doomed

    stronger and darker, often implying failure is certain

反義詞
  • promising

    shows signs that success is likely

  • hopeful

    suggests there is still a reasonable chance of success

文法句型

a forlorn attempt/bid/hope

seem forlorn

用法筆記

Often modifies plans, chances, or efforts when the speaker thinks success is very unlikely, but not absolutely impossible. It is stronger and more emotional than simply saying something is difficult.

常見錯誤

❌The exam was forlorn.
✅Passing the exam looked forlorn after he missed every class.
💡this sense describes a hope, plan, or attempt with very little chance of success, not an object in general.