What does pity mean?
Pity is the compassion or sorrow felt because of another person's suffering or misfortune. As a noun, it names that sympathetic response, as in “she looked at him with pity”; it can also denote a contemptuous judgment, as in “they expressed pity for his obvious lack of nerve.” As a verb, pity means to feel compassion for someone or, with a less sympathetic tone, to regard them as deserving of contempt. The word is common in both British and American English, although some expressions may sound formal or old-fashioned in casual speech. Using pity about oneself can also sound like a plea for sympathy and may be perceived as insincere. Pity is useful because it describes not only tenderness toward others but also the social discomfort that arises when power, failure, or misfortune exposes someone's vulnerability. Its related meanings make its tone depend heavily on context.
Compassion or sorrow felt for another person's misfortune or suffering; by extension, a contemptuous or dismissive attitude toward someone.
"Her expression was one of pity rather than admiration."
The noun can be used as a mass noun, as in “take pity on,” or as a countable noun when referring to a particular feeling.
To feel compassion for another person's misfortune or suffering; also, to regard someone with contempt or as deserving of ridicule.
"I pity anyone who had to sit through that tedious meeting."
The verb may express sympathy or contempt depending on context and delivery, so an ironic tone can reverse its apparent meaning.
The plural is rare and chiefly appears in formal or literary language; ordinary usage usually treats pity as a mass noun.
"The letters expressed her pities for the bereaved family."
Pity and piety are linguistic cousins, both descending through Latin from a family of words associated with compassion, duty, and devotion.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does pity come from?
The word entered Middle English from Old French pité, ultimately from Latin pietas, meaning “kindness” or “pity,” a term associated with pius, “dutiful” or “devout.” Middle English spelling variants developed into the modern form pity. Related English words include piety, pious, and impious, which preserve the same Latin family.
Related word forms
How pity is actually used
The word is standard in British and American English. It can sound formal or old-fashioned in expressions such as “take pity on,” while “pity me” may sound like an insincere appeal for sympathy. “I pity him” can express either sincere compassion or contempt, depending on context and tone.
Easily confused with pity
Pity denotes compassion for suffering, whereas piety most commonly denotes religious devotion or dutiful observance.