What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
dirge
Example
The choir sang a dirge as the casket was carried down the aisle. [dirge: noun]
Example
The somber notes of the dirge echoed through the church. [dirge: noun]
threnody
Example
The threnody that the poet wrote for his deceased friend was both beautiful and heart-wrenching. [threnody: noun]
Example
The orchestra played a threnody that brought tears to the eyes of everyone in the audience. [threnody: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Dirge is more common than threnody in everyday language. Dirge is often used to describe a specific type of mournful composition, while threnody is a more general term for any song or poem that expresses grief or mourning.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between dirge and threnody?
Both dirge and threnody are formal words that are typically used in serious and somber contexts, such as funerals and memorials.
