What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
saturnine
Example
He had a saturnine expression on his face all day. [saturnine: adjective]
Example
The movie had a saturnine tone throughout, leaving the audience feeling melancholic. [saturnine: adjective]
melancholic
Example
She felt melancholic after reading the tragic novel. [melancholic: adjective]
Example
His melancholic personality made him a great poet. [melancholic: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Melancholic is more commonly used than saturnine in everyday language, and it covers a wider range of contexts. Saturnine is less common and more formal, often used in literature or academic writing.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between saturnine and melancholic?
Saturnine is more formal than melancholic, and it is often used in literature or academic writing. Melancholic is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
