Lachrymose
/ˈlækrɪmoʊs/
adjectiveC2
Definition
Lachrymose is an adjective used to describe people, situations, or things that are very sad or tearful. It can mean someone who often cries or something that makes you want to cry. It is a formal and strong way to show sadness or sorrow.
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See It in Action
Showing or causing tears; very sad or tearful
- •The movie’s lachrymose ending left everyone in the theater quiet and emotional.
- •She had a lachrymose expression after hearing the bad news.
- •His voice was lachrymose as he told the story of his childhood.
Tending to cry easily or often
- •The baby was lachrymose throughout the night, waking up crying many times.
- •Some people are naturally more lachrymose when they feel hurt or lonely.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "lachrymose" like "sad" (A1 word), but much stronger and more serious—like feelings that bring tears
- ✓Picture a person with tears slowly running down their cheeks, their eyes red from crying
- ✓It's the feeling when you watch a very sad movie that makes you want to cry a lot
- ✓Sounds like "LAK-ruh-mose" → imagine a "lake" (sounds like "lak") full of tears flowing down someone's face
- ✓In stories, a character who is lachrymose often cries easily or feels deep sorrow, like in sad poems or dramas
- ✓NOT like "happy" (positive feeling)—lachrymose is all about sadness and tears
- ✓NOT like "cry" (an action)—lachrymose describes the quality or mood, not just the action of crying
- ✓NOT like "tearful" (can be temporary)—lachrymose often suggests a stronger, lasting sadness or mood
Try Other Words
- •Tearful: showing tears or crying (Use when focusing on the visible tears or crying)
- •Weeping: crying strongly (Use when the sadness is shown by loud crying)
- •Mournful: feeling or showing deep sadness, especially for someone who died (Use when sadness is about loss or death)
- •Sorrowful: full of sorrow or sadness (Use in formal contexts about sadness)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "lachry-" (from Latin "lacrima" meaning tear) + "-mose" (an adjective ending)
- •Etymology: From Latin "lachrimosus," meaning "tearful" or "full of tears"
- •Historical development: Used since the 1600s in English to describe tearful or sorrowful moods or people
- •Modern usage: Mostly used in formal writing, literature, or to describe very strong sadness or tearfulness
Reflect & Connect
•Can something be lachrymose without making someone cry? How do feelings and tears connect?
•How do writers use words like lachrymose to make readers feel emotions more deeply?
Fill in the blanks
1.The film’s lachrymose ___ made many viewers wipe their eyes.
2.When she heard the news, her face became ___ and full of tears.
3.Unlike simple sadness, a lachrymose mood often lasts ___ and deeply.
4.The poem was so ___ that it made the audience feel very emotional.
5.He was naturally lachrymose, often crying ___ when he felt hurt.
6.A lachrymose story usually ___ feelings of grief or sorrow.
7.Writers use the word lachrymose to describe scenes that ___ strong sadness.