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Definition of doleful

doleful

/ˈdoʊl.fəl/
dole · ful
Adverb:dolefully
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doleful Lexical Profile

doleful Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Expressing sorrow; mournful, sorrowful, or melancholy in appearance, sound, or mood.

Example

"The basset hound looked up at the dinner table with a doleful expression on its face."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for doleful

• Nearby Words

dojo
doldrums
dole
doleful
dolefully
dolefulness
doll

Word Origin & Etymology

From Middle English 'doleful', formed from the noun 'dole' (sorrow or grief, via Old French 'duel' from Late Latin 'dolus') and the suffix '-ful'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Doleful. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/doleful
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