Lament
Word of the Day
What is Lament?
noun
A passionate expression of grief or sorrow.
Pronunciation
Why This Word?
Chosen to honor the universal human experience of loss and the healing power of naming our sorrow.
Examples of Use
Here's how this word appears in everyday language:
The music sounded like a lament for a forgotten past.
Her speech was less a protest and more a lament for lost dreams.
He wrote a heartfelt lament after the sudden passing of his mentor.
Word Origins
Latin lamentum meaning “wailing, moaning”
First used in poetry and oral tradition; the word also functions as a verb (“to lament”).
First appearance in English: Middle English
Word Family
Related forms of this word:
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Verb:
They lamented the passing of an era.
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Noun:
Public mourning followed the tragedy.
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Noun:
A solemn dirge was sung at the memorial.
Around the World
How this word appears in other languages:
- Spanish: lamento
- French: lamentation
- German: Klage
- Italian: lamento
- Portuguese: lamento
If you Already Know This Word
If you've mastered this word, try these more advanced alternatives:
Elegy
An “elegy” is a literary or poetic lament, often more formal; “lament” is broader and more emotionally raw.
Grief
“Grief” is the feeling; “lament” is the expression of that grief.
Regret
“Regret” involves personal remorse; “lament” may be collective and cathartic.
Fun Facts
- Laments were traditionally sung by women in ancient funerary rituals across cultures.
- In Scottish folk tradition, a “piobaireachd” (pibroch) often served as a musical lament played on bagpipes.
Cultural Usage
- In classical tragedies and epics, characters often utter laments as part of mourning rites.
- Biblical texts like *Lamentations* are structured as poetic laments over Jerusalem’s destruction.
Common Mistakes
Often confused with “regret,” which is personal and reflective; “lament” is expressive, emotional, and often shared.
Micro Story
The poem was a quiet lament for a world that no longer exists.