elegaic

USAGE SUMMARY

"elegaic" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is sorrowful or expresses a kind of sadness. For example, "The elegaic lyrics in the song took me back to my childhood days".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Music

Arts

Books

Travel

Film

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

'There's a sense across the political board, that the loss of those industries and those communities is elegaic, that something profound was lost that might have been worth fighting for in a different way.

The Guardian

Touching on a big row about changes to planning rules to establish a presumption in favour of sustainable development, Mr Cameron started off elegaic, but quickly allowed his teeth to show, saying:I love our countryside and there's nothing I would do to put it at risk.

The Economist

The elegaic Nocturnes for the King of Naples (1978) recalls an affair after the elder of the two lovers has died.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Wieder-Atherton's recital with fellow cellists Sarah Lancu and Matthieu Lejeune fashions an elegaic narrative from music by "two geniuses outside their own times": Claudio Monteverdi and Giacinto Scelsi.

Independent

"Home," they agreed, can be elusive, and the conversation at times dipped into elegaic tones.

The New Yorker

On the book's cover is a grim yet elegaic photo by Art Greenspon showing wounded American paratroopers in a jungle clearing near Hue in April 1968, as one soldier, arms raised as if in prayer, guides to the ground an unseen helicopter that is to be their salvation.

The New York Times - Arts

Randy Newman's Losing You drew Cullum's most affecting vocal and also his most sensitive piano reflections, and an uninhibited You and Me Are Gone and When I Get Famous drove the show to captivatingly contrasting encores on Make Someone Happy (an elegaic duet with Rebello) and the rolling, rambunctious Mixtape.

The Guardian - Music

There is, with hindsight, an elegaic tone; the events take place over the spring and summer of 2001, when the worst fears of middle-class Americans on the East Coast were taking a hit on their investments, or whether their kids got to the right college.

The Guardian - Books

Overall, the post-1997 era seemed defined, theatrically, by elegant, one-act three-handers, or elegaic, self-referential plays about story-telling and memory.

The Guardian

There's an elegaic vocal on the title track, an original with a spiritual message and a typically circuitous melody, even if it does boast a Jamal lyric that's unlikely to rank among his greatest achievements.

The Guardian - Music

But in Iran, a land of soft light, poetic description and elegaic landscapes, the offer of a dusk stroll is hard to resist.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "elegaic" to describe works of art, music, or literature that evoke a sense of sorrow, mourning, or reflection on something lost. Ensure the context aligns with the formal and somewhat literary tone of the word.

Common error

Avoid using "elegaic" in casual or informal situations. The word carries a weight of sorrow and reflection, making it unsuitable for describing everyday disappointments or minor setbacks.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "elegaic" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe them as having qualities associated with an elegy or expressing sorrow, mourning, or lamentation, as evidenced by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Music

13%

Books

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Arts

5%

Travel

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "elegaic" is an adjective used to describe something that expresses sorrow or lamentation, often with a reflective and formal tone. Ludwig confirms that "elegaic" is grammatically correct and most commonly found in News & Media. It is not suitable for informal contexts. Consider using alternatives like "mournful" or "lamenting" to achieve a similar effect with slightly different nuances. By understanding its proper usage and register, you can effectively convey a sense of sorrow and reflection in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mournful

Focuses directly on the expression of grief or sorrow.

lamenting

Emphasizes the act of expressing sorrow or regret.

melancholic

Suggests a state of pensive sadness, often long-lasting.

plaintive

Highlights a sound or expression that is sorrowful and often beseeching.

threnodic

Specifically refers to something resembling a threnody, a song of lamentation.

lugubrious

Implies an exaggerated or affected mournfulness.

dolorous

Emphasizes the experience of pain and sorrow.

dirge-like

Compares something to a dirge, a funeral song, in its somber tone.

rueful

Expresses sorrow or regret, often with a hint of self-pity.

somber

Indicates a gloomy or serious mood.

FAQs

How can I use "elegaic" in a sentence?

You can use "elegaic" to describe something that expresses sorrow or lament. For instance, "The poem had an elegaic tone, mourning the loss of youth".

What words are similar to "elegaic"?

Alternatives to "elegaic" include "mournful", "lamenting", or "melancholic", each carrying slightly different nuances of sorrow and reflection.

Is "elegaic" a commonly used word?

While not as common as "sad" or "sorrowful", "elegaic" is recognized and used, especially in literary and artistic contexts, to describe something expressing sorrow in a refined and reflective manner.

What is the difference between "elegaic" and "sad"?

"Sad" is a general term for unhappiness. "Elegaic" describes something, often art or writing, that expresses sorrow or mourning, typically for something that is lost or past. It implies a reflective and somewhat formal tone.