plangent
Say it: PLAN-juhnt /ˈplændʒənt/ · adjective
What “plangent” means
Loud and ringing, with a sad sound.
More precisely: Loud, resonant and mournful in sound.
Example: “The plangent wail of a saxophone drifted from the flat upstairs.”
When to use it
Use it in literary descriptions of bells, voices or music that ring out strongly and sound mournful.
Similar words
mournful, plaintive, resonant
Where it comes from
Latin plangere, 'to beat the breast in grief'.
Quick check
A large bell rings across the valley with a powerful, lingering sadness. Which word describes its sound?
sonorous or plangent?
Show the answer
plangent
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