Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word
plaintive. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
plaintive, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
plaintive in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
plaintive you have here. The definition of the word
plaintive will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
plaintive, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Etymology
From Middle English pleintif, plentyff, from French plaintif (“aggrieved, lamenting”), from plainte (“lament, complaint”); see plaint. Doublet of plaintiff.
Pronunciation
Adjective
plaintive (comparative more plaintive, superlative most plaintive)
- Sounding sorrowful, mournful or melancholic.
- Synonyms: miserable, unhappy; see also Thesaurus:cheerless, Thesaurus:sad
a typically plaintive song from Radiohead
I can see by your plaintive smile something is wrong, so spill it.
Translations
Sorrowful, mournful or melancholic
Further reading
- “plaintive”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.
- “plaintive”, in The Century Dictionary , New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911, →OCLC.
French
Pronunciation
Adjective
plaintive
- feminine singular of plaintif