sorrow

Everyday

1. Sorrow is a deep feeling of sadness, especially because of a loss, death or disappointment. tree →
2. A sorrow is a thing that makes you very sad. tree →
3. (formal) Sorrow is also feeling truly sorry for something wrong you did, as in "sorrow for sin". tree →

In the lessons

In stories, sorrow often follows a death or parting; writers show it by tears, silence or a heavy heart. At funerals people "share in your sorrow". In church, being sorry for sins is called sorrow or repentance. Phrases: in sorrow, great sorrow, joys and sorrows, drown your sorrows (try to forget sadness, often by drinking), more in sorrow than in anger.

Examples

• The whole village felt sorrow when the old teacher died. tree →
• Her eyes were full of sorrow. tree →
• Life has joys and sorrows. tree →
• He showed real sorrow for what he had done. tree →
• "We share in your sorrow," said the card. tree →
• The song was slow and full of sorrow. tree →
• Losing the dog was a great sorrow to the family. tree →
• Do you know it will bring you sorrow?" tree →

Note

Mostly uncountable; countable for particular sad things ("many sorrows"). Adjective sorrowful. It is a stronger, more formal word than "sadness". Not the same as "sorry", though related in meaning.

In Jewish tradition

Jacob's grief at possibly losing Benjamin is called sorrow that would bring his grey hairs to the grave. In the Prophets and Psalms sorrow is the sadness of oppression and trouble, and Jeremiah says even comfort cannot lift it.

Interpretation. Tradition sees Judah's words as showing how he had changed, willing to give himself for Benjamin to spare his father. Jeremiah's grief is read as the prophet sharing the people's pain.

Examples

• and if ye take this one also from me, and harm befall him, ye will bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave. (Torah GEN.44.29, JPS 1917) tree →
• it will come to pass, when he seeth that the lad is not with us, that he will die; and thy servants will bring down the gray hairs of thy servant our father with sorrow to the grave. (Torah GEN.44.31, JPS 1917) tree →
• There is nothing better than joy, and nothing worse than sorrow or plague is. [19] (Sefer Yetzirah, Kalisch 1877) tree →
• Again, they are minished and dwindle away through oppression of evil and sorrow. (Writings PSA.107.39, JPS 1917) tree →
• This shall ye have of My hand; ye shall lie down in sorrow. (Prophets ISA.50.11, JPS 1917) tree →
• Though I would take comfort against sorrow, my heart is faint within me. (Prophets JER.8.18, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Mostly uncountable; countable for particular sad things ("many sorrows"). Adjective sorrowful. It is a stronger, more formal word than "sadness". Not the same as "sorry", though related in meaning.