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melancholy — a feeling of pensive sadness or thoughtful sorrow

Part of speech: NOUN

Definition: a feeling of pensive sadness or thoughtful sorrow

Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈmelənkɑːli/

Example Sentences

  • My cat seems to have melancholy whenever I open a can of vegetables instead of tuna.
  • The autumn leaves filled her with a gentle melancholy.
  • His melancholy expression during the math test suggested he forgot to study again.

melancholy

NOUN

[/ˈmelənkɑːli/]

a feeling of pensive sadness or thoughtful sorrow

A feeling of melancholy quietly filled her heart as she looked through old photographs.
💡 Concept

A feeling of melancholy quietly filled her heart as she looked through old photographs.

The music created a feeling of melancholy throughout the room. (MEMORY + LONELY = MELANCHOLY
→ melancholy is a lonely feeling often connected with memories and quiet sadness)
🧠 Mnemonic

The music created a feeling of melancholy throughout the room. (MEMORY + LONELY = MELANCHOLY → melancholy is a lonely feeling often connected with memories and quiet sadness)

Melancholy memories slowly found harmony through music.
🎵 Rhyme

Melancholy memories slowly found harmony through music.

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ˈmelənkɑːli/
🇬🇧 UK/ˈmelənkəli/

🌳Etymology

Rootmelan-
Suffix--y

Origin

From Greek 'melaina' (black) and 'kholē' (bile), reflecting the ancient medical theory of humors where an excess of black bile was believed to cause sadness and depression.

Breakdown

melan- (black, from Greek melaina) + -chol- (bile, from Greek kholē) + -y (noun suffix) = melancholy

🎵Rhyme

folly
jolly
collie

🔗Collocations

deep melancholy
melancholy mood
melancholy music
overcome melancholy
melancholy thoughts
sweet melancholy

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

“My cat seems to have melancholy whenever I open a can of vegetables instead of tuna.”

“The autumn leaves filled her with a gentle melancholy.”

😄 Fun example

“His melancholy expression during the math test suggested he forgot to study again.”

“The melancholy sound of rain against the window was oddly comforting.”

📚Related Words

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