sorrowsome

English

Alternative forms

• sorrow-some

Etymology

From sorrow +‎ -some. Compare Dutch zorgzaam (“careful; considerate”), German sorgsam (“careful”).

Adjective

sorrowsome (comparative more sorrowsome, superlative most sorrowsome)

1. Marked by sorrow; sad; dreary; sorrowful
   • 2005, Robert Dugger, Between Colors:

     The note strikes the young artist curiously, but just then the squeaky elevator arrives with a sorrowsome ding and she is distracted by its squawking doors and a grumbling old lady with a shopping bag.

   • 2011, Omar Khayyam, A. P Briggs, Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam:

     Then He too laughing asks me “Why so pale And sorrow-some? [...]”

   • 2012, Jayme Alan Toomey, A Passin’ On:

     She burst into sobs and moans, wailing like nobody's business a prompting the gathering to follow her sorrow-some lead.