Melancholic
adjective /ˌmel.ənˈkɒl.ɪk/ — Having a deep, pensive sadness
Definition
Characterised by a thoughtful, prolonged sadness — not acute grief, but the sustained, meditative quality of sorrow that has become part of how one sees.
Beyond the definition
The sadness that doesn't demand resolution. Melancholy is the emotion that keeps you company in quiet rooms.
Origin & history
From Greek 'melancholia' — 'melas' (black) + 'kholē' (bile). Ancient medicine believed black bile caused this temperament. The Romantics transformed it into a mark of sensitivity.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
The music was melancholic in the best way — it didn't make you sadder, it made you more present.
She had a melancholic quality that made her seem both distant and deeply attentive.
There is a particular beauty in the melancholic — it is the feeling of time made visible.
How to use it
This entry uses an adjective. Follow the examples for the nouns it describes and its position in the sentence.
Choose “Melancholic” when the meaning fits your context: Characterised by a thoughtful, prolonged sadness — not acute grief, but the sustained, meditative quality of sorrow that has become part of how one sees.
Synonyms
Antonyms
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Questions about this word
What does "Melancholic" mean?
Melancholic is adjective meaning: Having a deep, pensive sadness. Characterised by a thoughtful, prolonged sadness — not acute grief, but the sustained, meditative quality of sorrow that has become part of how one sees.
Where does the word "Melancholic" come from?
From Greek 'melancholia' — 'melas' (black) + 'kholē' (bile). Ancient medicine believed black bile caused this temperament. The Romantics transformed it into a mark of sensitivity.