LugubriousVery sad or gloomy, often in an exaggerated or overly solemn way. describes something that is very sad, gloomy, or mournful in a way that can seem exaggeratedMade to seem bigger, stronger, or more serious than it really is.. It is often used about a tone of voice, expression, or style that feels overly solemnSerious and formal in a quiet, thoughtful, often slightly sad way. or sorrowful.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-13. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /luh-GOO-bree-uhs/
Easy pronunciation: loo-GOO-bree-uhs (approximate spelling).
Stress: Primary stress on the second syllable, GOO.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-13. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Lugubrious Meaning
very sad or gloomy in an exaggerated way
Part of speech: adjective
Definition: excessively mournful
Example: He gave a lugubrious speech about the end of the project.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- mournful — Close match for the sad, sorrowful sense.
- somber — Works well when the meaning is dark and serious, though less strongly 'excessive'.
- solemn — Can fit a serious, grave tone, but it is not always as mournful as lugubrious.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-13. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Lugubrious Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- mournful
- somber
- solemn
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-13. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- Using lugubrious to mean simply 'sad' without the extra sense of gloom or overdone seriousness.
- Using it for any serious situation, when it usually describes an appearance, voice, or tone.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-13. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does lugubrious mean?
Lugubrious means very sad, gloomy, or mournful, often in an exaggerated or overly solemn way.
Is lugubrious a positive word?
No. It is usually negative or critical, suggesting a gloomy or overly mournful feeling.
How do you use lugubrious in a sentence?
You can use it to describe a face, voice, mood, or style, for example: "She answered in a lugubrious tone."
What are some synonyms for lugubrious?
Good synonyms include mournful, somber, and solemn, depending on the context.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-13. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.