plaintive Definition
sounding sad and mournful.
Using plaintive: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "plaintive" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The plaintive melody of the song brought tears to her eyes.
Example
The dog let out a plaintive howl when his owner left for work.
Example
She spoke in a plaintive voice, begging for forgiveness.
Example
The painting captured the plaintive expression on the woman's face.
plaintive Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with plaintive
Example
The plaintive cry of the baby could be heard throughout the house.
Example
He spoke in a plaintive tone, expressing his disappointment.
Example
She gave him a plaintive look, silently pleading for his help.
Origins of plaintive
from Latin 'plangere', meaning 'to strike, beat, lament'
Summary: plaintive in Brief
'Plaintive' [ˈpleɪntɪv] describes a sound or tone that is sad and mournful. It can be used to describe music, voices, or even facial expressions, as in 'The painting captured the plaintive expression on the woman's face.' 'Plaintive' can also be used in phrases like 'plaintive cry,' 'plaintive tone,' and 'plaintive look,' all of which denote sadness or mourning.
