Definition of Doleful
Quick Meaning of Doleful
Full of sadness and gloom; expressing or showing that something is mournful or sorrowful.
Detailed Definition of Doleful
Expressing or evoking a feeling of deep sorrow; mournful and gloomy.
How to Pronounce Doleful
Stress pattern: Oo (2-syllable word).
Tip: Stress on first syllable: /ˈdoʊl-/. The -ful suffix is unstressed. Rhymes with coal.
Watch out: dol-EFul (stress on middle syllable) instead of DOLE-ful.
Origin and Etymology of Doleful
From Latin dolere (to grieve, suffer) + -ful. Related to dole (grief), dolor (sorrow).
How to Use Doleful in a Sentence
Each example shows “doleful” with a CEFR level so learners can pick examples that match their fluency.
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“The doleful wails of the mourners echoed through the cemetery.”
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“He gave a doleful shake of his head, confirming her worst fears.”
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“The old dog watched the children leave with doleful eyes.”
Synonyms and Antonyms of Doleful
Common Synonyms for Doleful
Smart Synonyms for Doleful — When to Use Each
- mournful
- Emphasizes grief and expressions of sorrow
- woeful
- Adds sense of calamity and distress
- sorrowful
- General deep sadness; less dramatic
Antonyms of Doleful
Common Collocations with Doleful
These phrases pair with “doleful” in everyday English:
- doleful tone
- doleful expression
- doleful cry
- doleful melody
Common Mistakes When Using Doleful
Even fluent speakers slip up with “doleful”. Here’s how to avoid the most common errors:
- ✗ Wrong: The doleful news made everyone laugh.
- ✓ Correct: The doleful news made everyone weep.
- Why: Doleful describes the emotional quality (sorrowful); pairing with laughter is contradictory.
- ✗ Wrong: She gave a doleful smile.
- ✓ Correct: She gave a doleful sigh or doleful expression.
- Why: Smile (even sad) contradicts doleful's deep mournfulness; use sigh, cry, expression instead.
Words Confused With Doleful
- Doleful vs Dolorous: Both mean sorrowful; dolorous is archaic/poetic; doleful is more modern formal.
Other Forms of Doleful
- Noun: dolefulness
- Adjective: doleful
- Adverb: dolefully
Frequently Asked Questions About Doleful
What is the meaning of "Doleful"?
Full of sadness and gloom; expressing or showing that something is mournful or sorrowful.
How do you pronounce "Doleful"?
The IPA is /ˈdoʊlfəl/. Stress on first syllable: /ˈdoʊl-/. The -ful suffix is unstressed. Rhymes with coal.
What part of speech is "Doleful"?
"Doleful" is an adjective at C1 level (Common European Framework).
What are synonyms for "Doleful"?
Common synonyms include mournful, sorrowful, gloomy.
How do you use "Doleful" in a sentence?
For example: "The doleful wails of the mourners echoed through the cemetery."