Lugubrious
/luːˈɡuːbriəs/
adjectiveC2
Definition
Lugubrious means feeling or showing deep sadness or gloom, often in a way that seems too much or too serious. It is used to describe people’s expressions, voices, or atmospheres that appear very sad or mournful, sometimes in a way that feels a little unnatural or too much.
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See It in Action
Very sad or gloomy in appearance or mood
- •His lugubrious expression made everyone feel uncomfortable.
- •The music had a lugubrious tone that matched the sad story.
- •She spoke in a lugubrious voice after hearing the bad news.
Excessively or exaggeratedly mournful or gloomy
- •The movie’s lugubrious mood made some viewers feel tired.
- •His lugubrious behavior seemed too much for such a small problem.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "lugubrious" like "sad" (A1 word), but much stronger and more serious—like a sad face that does not smile at all
- ✓Picture a dark, rainy day with grey clouds and no sun, making everything feel heavy and gloomy
- ✓It’s the feeling you get when someone talks in a very slow, low voice because they are very upset or mourning
- ✓Sounds like "loo-GOO-bree-us" → imagine a ghost saying "loo-goo" in a slow, sad way in a dark room
- ✓Think of a character in a story who always looks unhappy and serious, like someone who lost something very important
- ✓NOT like "happy" or "cheerful" (bright and joyful), lugubrious is the opposite: very sad and serious
- ✓NOT like "sad" (general feeling), lugubrious is more extreme and often seems a little too much or theatrical
- ✓NOT like "angry" (strong feeling but about frustration), lugubrious is about sadness and gloom, not anger
Try Other Words
- •Mournful: feeling or showing deep sadness (Use when focusing on sadness related to loss)
- •Gloomy: dark or sad in mood (Use when describing atmosphere or feelings that are dark and depressing)
- •Melancholy: quietly sad or thoughtful sadness (Use when sadness is calm and reflective rather than loud or dramatic)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: (no clear prefix or suffix; the root is from Latin)
- •Etymology: From Latin "lugubris," meaning mournful or sorrowful
- •Historical development: Entered English in the 17th century to describe deep sadness or mournfulness, often with a dramatic or theatrical tone
- •Modern usage: Used mostly in formal or literary contexts to describe very serious or exaggerated sadness or gloom
Reflect & Connect
•Can sadness ever be too lugubrious, making it hard for others to feel comfortable? Why or why not?
•How might someone’s lugubrious mood affect the people around them in daily life?
Fill in the blanks
1.His ___ lugubrious expression made it clear that he was deeply upset about the news.
2.The room felt ___ lugubrious because of the dark colors and quiet atmosphere.
3.Unlike simple sadness, lugubrious often shows ___ or exaggerated sorrow.
4.She spoke in a lugubrious voice, ___ everyone that something serious had happened.
5.The movie’s ___ lugubrious tone made some viewers feel tired or sad.
6.When someone acts lugubrious, they often seem ___ or more serious than usual.
7.A lugubrious mood usually ___ the energy in a place, making it feel heavy or slow.