What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
elegy
Example
The poet wrote an elegy for his deceased friend. [elegy: noun]
Example
The elegiac tone of the novel conveyed a sense of loss and longing. [elegiac: adjective]
lament
Example
She let out a lament when she heard the news of her friend's passing. [lament: noun]
Example
The mother lamented the loss of her child in a heart-wrenching speech. [lamented: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Lament is more commonly used than elegy in everyday language. Lament is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while elegy is less common and refers specifically to a poetic form of mourning.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between elegy and lament?
Elegy is typically associated with a more formal and elevated tone, while lament can be used in both formal and informal contexts, allowing it to be more versatile in terms of formality.
