plaintive

Everyday

1. Sounding sad, like someone complaining or crying softly: «a plaintive cry». tree →
2. Sad and gentle, asking for pity. tree →

In the lessons

In stories this word describes sad sounds: a plaintive cry of a lost kitten, a plaintive song, a plaintive voice. In The Wind in the Willows the Mole's plaintive cry when he smells his old home makes the Rat turn back.

Examples

• The lost kitten gave a plaintive mew. tree →
• We heard the plaintive cry of a seagull. tree →
• «Ratty, please come back!» came the Mole's plaintive call. tree →
• She sang a plaintive song about home. tree →
• The dog gave a plaintive whine at the door. tree →
• His plaintive voice made us feel sorry for him. tree →
• Wendy was now almost overhead, and they could hear her plaintive cry. tree →

Note

Pronounced PLAIN-tiv. Related to «complain». Not the same as «plaintiff» (in law, the person who brings a case to court).