adj
plaintive
PLAYN-tihv
adj
1
Sounding sad, mournful, or full of longing.
"The violin played a plaintive melody."
"She let out a plaintive cry when she realized her cat was missing."
How to Use Plaintive
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDescribes a sound or tone that expresses sadness or longing, often a bit wistful.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
plaintive cry
plaintive melody
plaintive voice
Word Forms
more plaintive comparative, most plaintive superlative
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The violin played a _____ melody.
Etymology
From Old French pleintif, "lamenting," from plainte, "complaint" — a doublet of "plaintiff."