melancholia Definition
- 1a feeling of sadness that lasts for a long time and often has no obvious cause
- 2a mental condition characterized by depression and anxiety
Using melancholia: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "melancholia" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
She fell into a deep melancholia after her husband died.
Example
The character in the book suffered from melancholia and was unable to enjoy life.
Example
The artist's paintings were often inspired by his melancholia.
melancholia Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for melancholia
Idioms Using melancholia
a slight feeling of sadness or nostalgia
Example
The old photograph gave her a touch of melancholia as she remembered her childhood.
a metaphorical expression used to describe the experience of depression
Example
He struggled with the black dog of melancholia for many years before seeking help.
to drown one's melancholia
to try to forget one's sadness by drinking alcohol
Example
He spent the evening drowning his melancholia in whiskey.
Phrases with melancholia
a severe form of depression characterized by a complete loss of pleasure in everything, including food and drink
Example
He was diagnosed with clinical melancholia and required hospitalization.
a state of profound sadness caused by unrequited love or the end of a romantic relationship
Example
After the breakup, she fell into a melancholia of love and couldn't stop thinking about her ex.
a philosophical and psychological state of being that arises when one confronts the fundamental questions of human existence, such as the meaning of life, death, and the nature of reality
Example
The writer's work is characterized by an existential melancholia that reflects his preoccupation with the big questions of life.
Origins of melancholia
from Greek 'melankholia', meaning 'sadness'
Summary: melancholia in Brief
Melancholia [ˌmelənˈkəʊliə] is a feeling of sadness that persists for a long time without an apparent cause. It can also refer to a mental condition characterized by depression and anxiety. Examples include 'She fell into a deep melancholia after her husband died.' and 'The artist's paintings were often inspired by his melancholia.' Phrases like 'clinical melancholia' and 'melancholia of love' denote specific types of melancholia, while idioms like 'the black dog of melancholia' and 'to drown one's melancholia' convey the experience of depression.
