What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
doloroso
Example
The violinist played the doloroso section of the piece with great emotion. [doloroso: adjective]
Example
The conductor instructed the orchestra to play the piece in a doloroso tempo. [doloroso: adverb]
mournful
Example
The widow wore a mournful expression at her husband's funeral. [mournful: adjective]
Example
The mournful sound of the trumpet echoed through the empty streets. [mournful: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Mournful is more commonly used than doloroso in everyday language. Mournful is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while doloroso is less common and is primarily used in music terminology.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between doloroso and mournful?
Doloroso is associated with a formal and classical tone, while mournful can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
