melancholy meaning and definition

MELANCHOLY noun

Definition of melancholy (noun)

1. a feeling of thoughtful sadness
2. a constitutional tendency to be gloomy and depressed
3. a humor that was once believed to be secreted by the kidneys or spleen and to cause sadness and melancholy
   • synonyms: black bile

MELANCHOLY adjective

Definition of melancholy (adjective)

1. characterized by or causing or expressing sadness
   • "growing more melancholy every hour"; "her melancholic smile"; "we acquainted him with the melancholy truth"
   • synonyms: melancholic
2. grave or even gloomy in character
   • "solemn and mournful music"; "a suit of somber black"; "a somber mood"
   • synonyms: somber, sombre