What does woebegone mean?
Woebegone is an adjective meaning deeply unhappy, miserable, or forlorn. It is especially effective when it describes a person's face, bearing, or manner, as in a woebegone expression, but it can also characterize a person directly: the stranded travelers looked woebegone after the storm. The tone is literary and somewhat old-fashioned, and the word often suggests not only sadness but also a defeated, drained, or crestfallen state. It may appear in serious prose or be used humorously to exaggerate dejection, though it is less common in everyday conversation than unhappy or miserable. Although it was formed from “woe” and the old command “begone,” its conventional meaning is simply sorrowful. The word is useful because it compresses a particular mood—downcast misery—into one memorable adjective. Its unusual sound also makes it conspicuous, so writers often choose it when a descriptive, slightly elevated phrase is needed.
adjectiveDeeply unhappy, miserable, or forlorn, especially in expression or manner.
- Expressing or experiencing deep unhappiness; miserable, forlorn, or crestfallen.
"The abandoned puppy regarded us with a woebegone expression."
"The team was woebegone after the defeat."
"Her woebegone expression suggested that she had not slept."
Built from “woe” and the old command “be gone,” woebegone sounds like a peculiar spell in which misery has been told to leave.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does woebegone come from?
Woebegone is an English compound formed from woe and begone, the latter meaning “be gone!” It is recorded from the early 17th century. Woe descends from Old English wēa, while begone is formed from be- and gone. Related English words sharing the root of woe include woeful, woefully, and woefulness.
Related word forms
How woebegone is actually used
Literary and somewhat old-fashioned; it is neutral to slightly elevated in formal writing but can also be used humorously. It is commonly used predicatively and often conveys a vivid, mildly exaggerated sense of dejection.
Easily confused with woebegone
Woeful directly means full of sorrow or grief, whereas woebegone more specifically suggests a forlorn, miserable appearance or bearing.