Lugubrious
Word of the Day
What is Lugubrious?
adjective
Looking or sounding sad and dismal, often in an exaggerated or affected way.
Pronunciation
Why This Word?
Selected to highlight the expressive range of emotional vocabulary, especially in literature or satire.
Examples of Use
Here's how this word appears in everyday language:
The play opened with a lugubrious monologue delivered in a dim spotlight.
She gave him a lugubrious look when he finished the last slice of cake.
The movie was so lugubrious it bordered on parody.
Word Origins
Latin lugubris meaning “mournful”
From lugere (to mourn); originally meant deeply sorrowful, but often used now to describe affected or humorous gloom.
First appearance in English: 17th century
Word Family
Related forms of this word:
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Noun:
His lugubriousness made the entire meeting awkward.
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Adverb:
She sighed lugubriously before leaving the room.
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Adjective:
He spoke in a mournful tone.
Around the World
How this word appears in other languages:
- Spanish: lúgubre
- French: lugubre
- German: weinerlich
- Italian: lugubre
- Portuguese: lúgubre
If you Already Know This Word
If you've mastered this word, try these more advanced alternatives:
Melancholy
“Melancholy” is quieter and more reflective; “lugubrious” is gloomier and more theatrical.
Morose
“Morose” suggests deep sadness or irritability; “lugubrious” leans toward dramatic sorrow.
Doleful
“Doleful” is genuinely sorrowful; “lugubrious” may be exaggerated or ironic.
Fun Facts
- The word is often used humorously to describe exaggerated sadness.
- “Lugubrious” has been used in political satire to describe overly serious speeches.
Cultural Usage
- Charles Dickens often portrayed lugubrious characters for comic or critical effect.
- Lugubrious tone is found in funeral marches and slow classical pieces expressing grief.
Common Mistakes
Often misused as a synonym for “sad”; it implies a tone of drama or exaggeration.
Micro Story
He wore a lugubrious expression, as if losing the game had shattered his world.