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melancholy

MEL-uhn-kol-ee /ˈmel.ən.kəl.i/

nounadjectiveB2GRESATTOEFL

literarygeneral

A feeling of pensive sadness, typically with no obvious cause; deeply thoughtful gloominess.

Often carries a poetic, sweet-sorrowful tone rather than pure agony or rage.

The story behind the word. Ancient Greek medicine taught that human temperament was ruled by four bodily humors. An excess of melaina chole, or black bile produced by the spleen, was thought to cause dark, brooding sadness. Though medical humorism died out centuries ago, the word survives to describe poetic, quiet sorrow.

Word relationships

pensiveness: Pensiveness means serious thoughtfulness, whereas melancholy adds a layer of sorrow.
wistfulness: Wistfulness involves yearning for the past, while melancholy is a broader lingering gloom.

euphoria: Euphoria is a feeling of intense excitement and happiness.
mirth: Mirth means laughter and amusement.

Commonly confused with

monopoly: Monopoly is complete commercial control; melancholy is thoughtful sadness.

Word family

melancholic (adjective): Suffering from or expressing melancholy.

Collocations

melancholy melody
deep melancholy
melancholy mood
air of melancholy

Idioms & expressions

a heavy heart
in a blue mood

Example sentences

"The violinist played a melancholy melody that brought tears to the eyes of the audience." Music review
"A soft wave of melancholy washed over her as she looked through old childhood photographs." Personal reflection

Memory hook

MELANCHOLY = MELANIN (dark) + CHOLERA (sickness) -> dark feeling. Quiet, poetic, black-bile sorrow.

When not to use

Do not use for sudden acute panic or loud anger; it is quiet, reflective sadness.

Fun facts

Albrecht Dürer created Melencolia I in 1514, one of the most celebrated engravings in art history, depicting a winged genius surrounded by tools of math and art in idle contemplation.