cloud of melancholy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cloud of melancholy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a feeling of deep sadness or gloom that seems to envelop someone, often in a poetic or metaphorical context. Example: "As she walked through the empty streets, a cloud of melancholy settled over her, reminding her of happier times."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Recently however, following a dramatic defeat by Auburn, a low-hanging, inescapable cloud of melancholy and regret engulfed the campus.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The combination of Wuerden's barely-there guitar-glimmer and washed out footage of clouds unfurling endlessly is exactly the kind of melancholy we get really into on Friday mornings.

Vice

It is also a time of melancholy.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

A palpable sense of melancholy pervades Iraq.

The New York Times

The moment of melancholy confession passed.

The New York Times - Magazine

A tone of melancholy pervades this world.

Britannica

There is an undertow of melancholy.

The Guardian - Books

There was a sort of melancholy.

The Guardian - Music

A sense of melancholy pervades.

The New York Times

"I suffer from an overabundance of melancholy," she said.

The New Yorker

Instantly, Fellowes's shadow of melancholy enveloped him.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cloud of melancholy" to evoke a strong sense of sadness that affects the overall mood or environment, especially when describing emotional states or settings in literature.

Common error

Avoid using "cloud of melancholy" in everyday conversation or informal writing. It can sound melodramatic if not used carefully, so reserve it for situations where you want to create a particularly evocative or poetic effect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cloud of melancholy" functions as a metaphorical noun phrase, typically acting as a subject complement or object of a preposition. As Ludwig AI points out, it describes a pervasive feeling or atmosphere of sadness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Encyclopedias

25%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cloud of melancholy" is a grammatically sound and evocative expression, best suited for descriptive or literary contexts where a strong sense of sadness is to be conveyed. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. While alternatives like "veil of sadness" or "atmosphere of gloom" offer similar sentiments, "cloud of melancholy" provides a particularly poetic image. It's most frequently found in News & Media, Academic, and Encyclopedia sources, suggesting a formal to neutral register. When employing this phrase, aim for contexts where its evocative power can enhance the writing without sounding overly dramatic.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

veil of sadness

Replaces "cloud" with "veil", emphasizing a covering or concealing aspect of sadness.

shroud of sorrow

Substitutes "cloud" with "shroud", suggesting a more enveloping and oppressive feeling of sorrow.

blanket of despair

Uses "blanket" to indicate a widespread and encompassing feeling of despair.

wave of despondency

Replaces "cloud" with "wave", conveying a sudden and overwhelming feeling of despondency.

atmosphere of gloom

Shifts from a specific "cloud" to a general "atmosphere", focusing on the overall feeling of gloom.

air of desolation

Similar to 'atmosphere of gloom' but uses "desolation" to suggest a feeling of emptiness and loss.

sense of profound sadness

Rephrases the metaphor into a direct expression of feeling profound sadness.

feeling of deep sorrow

Directly states the presence of deep sorrow, avoiding metaphorical language.

pervasive unhappiness

Focuses on the widespread and constant nature of unhappiness.

undercurrent of sadness

Highlights the subtle but persistent presence of sadness.

FAQs

How can I use "cloud of melancholy" in a sentence?

You can use "cloud of melancholy" to describe a pervasive feeling of sadness or gloom, such as "A "cloud of melancholy" hung over the town after the factory closed".

What is a good alternative to "cloud of melancholy"?

Alternatives include "veil of sadness", "shroud of sorrow", or "atmosphere of gloom", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What does it mean to say there is a "cloud of melancholy"?

It means that a feeling of sadness or gloom is pervasive and affects the overall mood or atmosphere, often creating a sense of heaviness or oppression.

Is "cloud of melancholy" a common expression?

While not extremely common, "cloud of melancholy" is a recognized and usable phrase, particularly in literary or descriptive contexts. It effectively conveys a strong sense of sadness. Other alternatives, like "sense of sadness", may be more frequently used in everyday conversation.