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plaintiveexpressing sadness or melancholy; mournful

Part of speech: ADJECTIVE

Definition: expressing sadness or melancholy; mournful

Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈpleɪntɪv/

Korean meaning: 슬프거나 애절한, 애수에 찬

Korean pronunciation: **플레**인티브

Example Sentences

  • The cat's plaintive meowing at 3 AM made me realize it was probably commenting on my life choices.
  • Her plaintive letter to customer service about the broken coffee machine was so touching that they sent her a free replacement.
  • The violinist played a plaintive piece that moved the entire audience to tears.

plaintive

ADJECTIVE

//ˈpleɪntɪv//

expressing sadness or melancholy; mournful

plaintive concept
💡 Concept

A woman's plaintive expression shows her heartbreak in the rain

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plaintive rhyme
🎵 Rhyme

Attentive care for plaintive tears is preventive.

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ˈpleɪntɪv/
🇬🇧 UK/ˈpleɪntɪv/

🌳Etymology

Rootplaint
Suffix--ive

Origin

From Old French 'plaintif' meaning 'complaining' or 'lamenting,' derived from Latin 'plangere' meaning 'to strike' or 'to bewail.' The word entered English through Norman French legal terminology where it referred to the complaining party in a lawsuit.

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🎵Rhyme

attentiveinventivepreventive
attentive
inventive
preventive

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📝Examples

😄 Fun example

The cat's plaintive meowing at 3 AM made me realize it was probably commenting on my life choices.

😄 Fun example

Her plaintive letter to customer service about the broken coffee machine was so touching that they sent her a free replacement.

The violinist played a plaintive piece that moved the entire audience to tears.

😄 Fun example

My stomach's plaintive growling during the silent meditation session was embarrassingly loud.

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📚Related Words

Synonyms

mournfulmelancholicsorrowfulwistfuldoleful

Antonyms

cheerfuljoyfulupbeat

Related

lamentwailcomplaintplea