Standard Lemma guide

wailful

adj · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • UK: /ˈweɪlfəl/

1

adj

Meaning 1

Sorrowful; mournful.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: poetic

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adjective satellite

Meaning 2

vocally expressing grief or sorrow or resembling such expression- Shakespeare

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • lamenting sinners
  • wailing mourners
  • the wailing wind
  • wailful bagpipes
  • tangle her desires with wailful sonnets

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: lamenting, wailing

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From wail + -ful.