Doleful | Definition of doleful by Merriam-Webster

Full Definition of DOLEFUL

1

: causing grief or affliction <a doleful loss>

2

: full of grief : cheerless <a doleful face>

3

: expressing grief : sad <a doleful melody>

— dole·ful·ly \-fə-lē\ adverb

— dole·ful·ness noun

See doleful defined for English-language learners

See doleful defined for kids

13th century

Synonyms: aching, agonized, anguished, bemoaning, bewailing, bitter, deploring, mournful, dolesome, dolorous, funeral, grieving, heartbroken, lamentable, lugubrious, plaintive, plangent, regretful, rueful, sorrowful, sorry, wailing, weeping, woeful

Antonyms: blissful, buoyant, buoyed, cheerful, cheery, chipper, delighted, glad, gladdened, gladsome, gleeful, happy, joyful, joyous, jubilant, sunny, upbeat

: very sad <a doleful day>

— dole·ful·ly \-fə-lē\ adverb

Next Word in the Dictionary: dolefulsPrevious Word in the Dictionary: dole cupboardAll Words Near: doleful

What made you want to look up doleful? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).