melancholic
/,melən'/
Definition
Adjective:
- Characterized by or expressing sadness: Describes a person, mood, or thing that is deeply and thoughtfully sad, often in a way that is prolonged or reflective.
- Causing sadness: Describes something that induces a feeling of sorrow or gloom.
Noun:
- Someone subject to melancholia: A person who is habitually or constitutionally sad, gloomy, or depressed; a person suffering from melancholia (a historical term for a severe form of depression).
Usage and Examples
Adjective:
- She had a melancholic disposition, often lost in thought.
- The melancholic melody of the cello brought tears to his eyes.
- The end of summer always gives the garden a melancholic beauty.
Noun:
- In the old texts, the poet was described as a melancholic, forever writing about loss.
- He was considered a melancholic, prone to long periods of silence and sorrow.
Advanced Usage
- In Psychology/History: The term "melancholic" is rooted in the ancient concept of the four temperaments, where it described one of the fundamental human personality types, associated with introspection, creativity, and sadness.
- The melancholic temperament was once linked to an excess of black bile.
Variants and Related Words
- Melancholia (n): A state of deep, persistent sadness or depression; an old term for a severe depressive condition.
- He sank into a state of profound melancholia.
- Melancholy (n/adj): Can be used as a noun for a feeling of pensive sadness, or as an adjective very similar to "melancholic."
- A feeling of melancholy descended upon the group. (n)
- He was in a melancholy mood. (adj)
Synonyms
- Adjective: Sad, sorrowful, gloomy, mournful, pensive, despondent, blue, woeful.
- Noun: Pessimist, brooder.
Antonyms
- Adjective: Cheerful, happy, joyful, lighthearted, buoyant.
- Noun: Optimist.
Related Idioms and Phrases
- A melancholic streak: A persistent tendency toward sadness within one's character.
- Despite his jokes, he had a deep melancholic streak.
- Melancholic air/aura: A quality or atmosphere that suggests sadness.
- The abandoned mansion had a melancholic air about it.
Adjective
-
characterized by or causing or expressing sadness
-
growing more melancholy every hour
-
her melancholic smile
-
we acquainted him with the melancholy truth
-
Noun
-
someone subject to melancholia
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