What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
lovelorn
Example
The lovelorn teenager wrote poetry about his unrequited love. [lovelorn: adjective]
Example
She spent many nights feeling lovelorn and wishing for someone to share her life with. [lovelorn: adjective]
heartbroken
Example
He was heartbroken when his girlfriend broke up with him. [heartbroken: adjective]
Example
After her father's death, she felt heartbroken and struggled to cope with the loss. [heartbroken: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Heartbroken is more commonly used than lovelorn in everyday language, as it is a more versatile word that can be used to describe various types of emotional pain and loss. Lovelorn is less common and has a more poetic and literary connotation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between lovelorn and heartbroken?
Both lovelorn and heartbroken are associated with an informal and emotional tone, but heartbroken can also be used in more formal contexts to describe serious emotional distress.