lachrymose - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
lachrymose Word Meanings
- tearful or given to weeping
- expressing sorrow or sadness
- causing tears or sorrow
lachrymose Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
lachrymose Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/ˈlæk.rɪ.məʊs/
US
/ˈlækrɪˌmoʊs/
lachrymose Word Etymology
lachrymo- (from Latin 'lacrima' = tear) + -ose (full of). Origin: Latin → Old French → English. Picture someone with tear-filled eyes, as if caught in a moment of sorrow.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputReal Context
Lachrymose is a literary adjective meaning tearful or given to weeping, often tied to sorrow rather than just momentary sadness. It can describe someone whose eyes are filled with tears or whose voice sounds plaintive. In everyday speech, many would simply say sad or tearful; lachrymose implies a stronger, perhaps old-fashioned sense of sorrow that lingers and moves others. The word carries a shaded, sometimes melodramatic tone, and is more common in prose, poetry, or historical descriptions than in casual conversation. Learners should reserve it for contexts where you want to emphasize a somber, almost tearfully affected mood rather than a fleeting emotion.
Usage Reminders
- Lachrymose is a formal, literary word.
- Use it for strong, lingering sadness, not a fleeting feeling.
- It commonly describes eyes, voices, or moods.
- It is more likely to appear in prose, poetry, or historical writing than in everyday speech.
- Avoid overusing it; save for contexts that demand a somber, dramatic tone.
Common Misconceptions
- It means simply sad or crying all the time.
- It describes someone who cries in every situation.
- It refers only to physical tears, not mood.
- It is a casual synonym for tearful.
- It is the same as lacrimal or lacrimatory terms in science.
Thinking Differences
Lachrymose sounds formal and literary to English speakers; it implies a heavier, more theatrical sadness than plain 'sad' or 'tearful'. Learners often substitute it with 'sad' or 'tearful' in everyday writing, losing the melodramatic nuance and opting for a cruder tone.
Learning Tips
- Compare with tearful, sorrowful, and melancholic to feel nuances.
- Note its register is formal and literary, not casual.
- Use with nouns like tone, mood, or voice to heighten mood.
- Read poetry or historical prose to see authentic usage.
- Practice rewriting simple sentences with a lachrymose twist.
- Avoid overusing; save for serious, somber contexts.
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 1: Meaning
What is the meaning of the word 'lachrymose'?
A.Gloomy and pessimistic
B.Full of energy
C.Tearful or weepy
D.Sweet and cheerful
Step 2: Usage
In which of the following sentences is 'lachrymose' used correctly?
A.She couldn't stop laughing at the lachrymose movie scene.
B.After hearing the sad news, she became lachrymose and couldn't control her tears.
C.The sunny day made her feel lachrymose and content.
D.He approached the situation in a lachrymose and optimistic manner.
Step 3: Similar Words
Which of the following is a synonym of 'lachrymose'?
A.Melancholic
B.Mirthful
C.Joyful
D.Cheerful
Step 4: Opposite Words
What would be the opposite of 'lachrymose'?
A.Ecstatic
B.Blissful
C.Dry-eyed
D.Jovial
Step 5: Mastery
In what real-life context would you expect to encounter the word 'lachrymose'?
A.While reading a tragic novel
B.At a happy celebration
C.During a comedy show
D.At a joyful wedding
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