Definition

The quality or state of being sad or mournful.

Example

Her face was filled with dolefulness as she remembered her lost friend.

Conversation

I just watched a movie that was filled with such dolefulness.

Really? That sounds pretty heavy; was it worth watching?

It had its moments, but the overall mood was quite sad and gloomy.

Sometimes those kinds of films can be really impactful, though.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Dolefulness → It is formed from "dole" (from Old English *dola*, meaning sorrow or grief) and "-fulness" (meaning the state of being full of). The word "dolefulness" means the state of being full of sorrow or grief.

Memory Tip

Think of 'dole' as representing sorrow, and '-fulness' indicating a state of being. This helps you remember that 'dolefulness' refers to a state filled with sorrow.

Visually Confused Words