What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
doleful
Example
The doleful expression on her face revealed the depth of her sadness. [doleful: adjective]
Example
The doleful melody of the song brought tears to my eyes. [doleful: adjective]
sad
Example
I felt sad when I heard the news of his passing. [sad: adjective]
Example
It's sad that we won't be able to see each other for a while. [sad: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Sad is more commonly used than doleful in everyday language. Sad is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while doleful is less common and more formal, often used in literary or poetic contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between doleful and sad?
Doleful is more formal than sad, and is often used in literary or poetic contexts. Sad is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
