What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
dejection
Example
After failing the exam, he felt a sense of dejection. [dejection: noun]
Example
She walked with dejection in her step after receiving the bad news. [dejection: noun]
melancholy
Example
The sound of the rain outside made her feel melancholy. [melancholy: adjective]
Example
He wrote a melancholy poem about lost love. [melancholy: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Melancholy is less commonly used than dejection in everyday language. Dejection is a more practical and straightforward word that can be used in various contexts, while melancholy has a more poetic and romantic connotation and is often used in literature or art.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between dejection and melancholy?
Both dejection and melancholy are formal words that are typically used in serious or literary contexts. However, melancholy may have a more elevated or poetic tone than dejection.
