First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1sorrow
noun sor·row \ˈsär-(ˌ)ō, ˈsȯr-\
: a feeling of sadness or grief caused especially by the loss of someone or something
: a cause of grief or sadness
Full Definition of SORROW
1
a : deep distress, sadness, or regret especially for the loss of someone or something loved b : resultant unhappy or unpleasant state <to their great sorrow they could not marry>
2
: a cause of grief or sadness
3
: a display of grief or sadness
See sorrow defined for English-language learners
See sorrow defined for kids
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Origin of SORROW
Middle English sorow, from Old English sorg; akin to Old High German sorga sorrow
Related to SORROW
- Synonyms
- affliction, anguish, dolefulness, dolor, grief, heartache, heartbreak, sorriness, woe
- Antonyms
- blessedness, bliss, blissfulness, cheer, cheerfulness, cheeriness, delight, ecstasy, elatedness, elation, euphoria, exhilaration, exuberance, exultation, felicity, gladness, gladsomeness, glee, gleefulness, happiness, joy, joyfulness, joyousness, jubilation, pleasure, rapture, rapturousness
Synonym Discussion of SORROW
sorrow, grief, anguish, woe, regret mean distress of mind. sorrow implies a sense of loss or a sense of guilt and remorse <a family united in sorrow upon the patriarch's death>. grief implies poignant sorrow for an immediate cause <the inexpressible grief of the bereaved parents>. anguish suggests torturing grief or dread <the anguish felt by the parents of the kidnapped child>. woe is deep or inconsolable grief or misery <cries of woe echoed throughout the bombed city>. regret implies pain caused by deep disappointment, fruitless longing, or unavailing remorse <nagging regret for missed opportunities>.
2sorrow
intransitive verb
: to feel or express sorrow
Full Definition of SORROW
: to feel or express sorrow
— sor·row·er \ˈsär-ə-wər, ˈsȯr-\ noun
First Known Use of SORROW
before 12th century
SORROW Defined for Kids
1sorrow
noun sor·row \ˈsär-ō\
Definition of SORROW for Kids
1
: sadness felt after a loss (as of someone or something loved)
2
: a cause of grief or sadness <He moved away to forget his sorrows.>
3
: a feeling of regret
Synonym Discussion of SORROW
sorrow, grief, and woe mean a feeling of great sadness. sorrow is used for a feeling that something has been lost and often feelings of guilt and regret. <He expressed sorrow for having caused the accident.> grief is used for a feeling of great sorrow usually for a particular reason. <She felt grief over the death of her pet.> woe is used for a feeling of hopelessness and misery. <All my troubles left me in a state of woe.>
2sorrow
verb
sor·rowedsor·row·ing
Definition of SORROW for Kids
: to feel or express sorrow : grieve
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