sorrow

[sor-oh, sawr-oh]

noun

1. distress caused by loss, affliction, disappointment, etc.; grief, sadness, or regret.

2. a cause or occasion of grief or regret, as an affliction, a misfortune, or trouble.

   His first sorrow was the bank failure.

   Synonyms: adversity

3. the expression of grief, sadness, disappointment, or the like.

   muffled sorrow.

verb (used without object)

1. to feel sorrow; grieve.

   Synonyms: lament, mourn

sorrow

/ ˈsɒrəʊ /

noun

1. the characteristic feeling of sadness, grief, or regret associated with loss, bereavement, sympathy for another's suffering, for an injury done, etc

2. a particular cause or source of regret, grief, etc

3. Also called: sorrowing. the outward expression of grief or sadness

verb

1. (intr) to mourn or grieve

Other Word Forms

• sorrowfully adverb
• sorrowfulness noun
• sorrowful adjective
• sorrower noun
• sorrowless adjective
• unsorrowing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of sorrow¹

First recorded before 900; (noun) Middle English; Old English sorg; cognate with German Sorge, Dutch zorg, Old Norse sorg, Gothic saurga; (verb) Middle English sorwen, Old English sorgian; cognate with Old High German sorgôn

Word History and Origins

Origin of sorrow¹

Old English sorg; related to Old Norse sorg, Gothic saurga, Old High German sworga

Idioms and Phrases

see drown one's sorrows; more in sorrow than in anger.

Synonym Study

Sorrow, distress, grief, misery, woe imply bitter suffering, especially as caused by loss or misfortune. Sorrow is the most general term. Grief is keen suffering, especially for a particular reason. Distress implies anxiety, anguish, or acute suffering caused by the pressure of trouble or adversity. Misery suggests such great and unremitting pain or wretchedness of body or mind as crushes the spirit. Woe is deep or inconsolable grief or misery.

Example Sentences

The Duchess of Kent has died at the age of 92, Buckingham Palace has announced with "deep sorrow".

From BBC

The visit represents a peaceful epilogue to an eventful nesting season marked by both sorrow and joy.

From Los Angeles Times

During the event, Kim said he was filled with "sorrow" at failing to bring the soldiers back alive, pledging to build a monument in their honour and to look after their children.

From BBC

During the event, Kim said he was filled with "sorrow" at failing to bring the soldiers back alive, pledging to build a monument in their honour and to and look after their children.

From BBC

"Today has been a day of deep sorrow and shock for our community... We are grieving together," she said.

From BBC

Related Words

• agony 
• anguish 
• hardship 
• heartache 
• heartbreak 
• melancholy 
• misery 
• mourning 
• pain 
• regret 
• remorse 
• repentance 
• sadness 
• suffering 
• unhappiness www.thesaurus.com
• worry