What does sorrowful mean?
Sorrowful is an adjective meaning deeply sad or filled with grief, especially in response to a loss, misfortune, or disappointment. It is more formal and emotionally emphatic than the everyday word “sad,” and is often used when describing a person’s expression, a mournful occasion, or an atmosphere associated with bereavement. For example, a family may be described as sorrowful after a death, while a song or ceremony may be called sorrowful because it expresses mourning. In ordinary conversation, speakers may choose “upset,” “heartbroken,” or “devastated” when they want to convey the specific intensity of grief. The word is also sometimes used in a broader, literary sense to indicate that something is marked by sadness or regret. Its long history and explicit association with sorrow make it especially suitable for formal, commemorative, and poetic contexts.
adjectiveFeeling or characterized by sorrow; sad, especially because of a loss, disappointment, or misfortune.
- Feeling sorrow or grief.
- Characterized by or causing sorrow; mournful.
"The family gathered in a sorrowful mood after the news of the accident."
"Her sorrowful expression revealed how deeply she had been affected by the news."
"The memorial service was a sorrowful occasion, marked by speeches and music."
Sorrowful carries the emotional weight of grief: it suggests not only feeling sad, but being marked by a significant loss or misfortune.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does sorrowful come from?
The adjective is formed within English by combining the noun “sorrow” with the suffix “-ful,” meaning “full of.” “Sorrow” itself comes from Old English and ultimately from the Germanic language family, and has long referred to grief, anguish, or deep distress. Related forms include the adverb “sorrowfully,” the noun “sorrowfulness,” and the adjective “sorrowless,” which means free from sorrow.
Related word forms
How sorrowful is actually used
Sorrowful is more formal and literary than ordinary alternatives such as sad. It often implies grief caused by a loss, misfortune, or disappointment, though it can also describe a place, event, or atmosphere associated with mourning.
Easily confused with sorrowful
Sorry commonly expresses apology, regret, or sympathy, whereas sorrowful describes a state of deep sadness or grief.