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Definition of woeful

woeful

/ˈwoʊ.fəl/
woe · ful
Adverb:woefully
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woeful Lexical Profile

woeful Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Of very bad quality; deplorably inadequate or inferior.

Example

"The committee criticized the agency's woeful lack of preparation for the winter storm."

2

Characterized by, expressive of, or causing great sorrow, grief, or misery.

Example

"The lost dog sat on the porch with a woeful expression until its owner returned."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for woeful

• Nearby Words

wodonga
woe
woebegone
woeful
woefully
woefulness
wok

Word Origin & Etymology

From Middle English 'woful', formed from Old English 'wa' (woe, grief) plus the adjective suffix '-ful'.

Cite this Entry

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