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Word a Day

melancholy

noun · /ˈmɛlənˌkɑli/ · Level 3 · Advanced

What does melancholy mean?

melancholy (noun): great sadness or depression, especially of a thoughtful or introspective nature.

Definition: Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.

How do you pronounce melancholy?

/ˈmɛlənˌkɑli/ (IPA, American English). The app reads every word aloud.

Where does melancholy come from?

From Middle English malencolie, from Old French melancolie.

Etymology: Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Test yourself: do you know “melancholy”?

Tap an answer to check it. The same questions the app asks.

What does “melancholy” mean?

the room where a judge presides over hearings and trials, sometimes with a jury

Not quite: that's what courtroom means.

a likelihood of behaving in a particular way or going in a particular direction

Not quite: that's what tendency means.

a person devoted to refined sensuous enjoyment (especially good food and drink)

Not quite: that's what gourmet means.

great sadness or depression, especially of a thoughtful or introspective nature

Right! That's what “melancholy” means.

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