Woeful | Definition of woeful by Merriam-Webster

Full Definition of WOEFUL

1

: full of woe : grievous <woeful prophecies>

2

: involving or bringing woe

3

: lamentably bad or serious : deplorable <woeful ignorance>

— woe·ful·ly \-f(ə-)lē\ adverb

— woe·ful·ness \-fəl-nəs\ noun

See woeful defined for English-language learners

See woeful defined for kids

woe·ful also wo·ful \ˈwō-fəl\

14th century

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

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

1

: full of grief or misery <a woeful heart> <a woeful tale>

2

: bringing woe or misery <a woeful day>

3

: very bad <Your grades are woeful.>

— woe·ful·ly adverb

Next Word in the Dictionary: woehleritePrevious Word in the Dictionary: woebegoneAll Words Near: woeful

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