English Dictionary
Definition of “plaintive”
plaintive (ˈpleɪntɪv
)
Definitions
adjective
- expressing melancholy; mournful
Alternative Forms
ˈplaintively adverb ˈplaintiveness noun Word Origin
C14: from Old French plaintif grieving, from plainteplaint
Synonyms
View thesaurus entry
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sorrowful,
sad,
pathetic,
melancholy,
grievous,
pitiful,
woeful,
wistful,
mournful,
heart-rending,
rueful,
grief-stricken,
disconsolate,
doleful,
woebegone,
piteous,
Usage examples
The animal's mouth opened as it gave a plaintive unheard cry.
Forbes, Bryan, A Song at Twilight (1989)Some members feel alienated, but theirs is a plaintive cry to just be recognised by the leadership, rather than a real rebellion.
Spiked (2004)They don't respond well to a female plaintive moose call, nor do they even bother to investigate the presence of a mate.
Ottawa Sun (2003)But the rendering was plaintive rather than echoing, hopeful rather than confident.
Times, Sunday Times (2001)Her husband interrupted her, his hands out like plates in a gesture of plaintive helplessness.
Edited by Robin Robertson, MORTIFICATION: Writers' Stories of their Public Shame (2003)
