melancholy
Say it: MEL-un-kuh-lee /ˈmɛlənkɑli/ · noun
What “melancholy” means
A deep sadness that lingers, sometimes without a clear reason.
More precisely: A deep, lingering sadness, often without an obvious cause.
Example: “Autumn evenings bring a gentle melancholy that she secretly enjoys.”
When to use it
Use it for a sadness that quietly stays with you. It sounds reflective or literary, rather than dramatic.
Similar words
sadness, gloom, sorrow
Where it comes from
From Greek melankholia, "black bile," once thought to cause sadness.
Quick check
Nothing particular has gone wrong, but a quiet sadness has stayed with you for days. What is this feeling?
melancholy or nostalgia?
Show the answer
melancholy
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