Basic Details
Word: Melancholy
Part of Speech: Noun (can also be an adjective)
Meaning: A deep, sad feeling, often without a clear cause.
Synonyms: Sadness, gloom, sorrow
Antonyms: Joy, happiness, delight
Idioms and Phrases
- Melancholy mood: A feeling of deep sadness that can linger over someone. Example: "He was in a melancholy mood after watching a sad film."
- A touch of melancholy: A hint or slight feeling of sadness. Example: "The song had a touch of melancholy that brought back memories."
Usage Examples
Example 1: On rainy days, she often feels a sense of melancholy as the clouds cover the sky.
Example 2: The artist captured a feeling of melancholy in her painting, using dark colours to convey her emotions.
Example 3: He spoke with a melancholy tone, reflecting on memories of his childhood friends.
Fun Fact
The word "melancholy" originates from the Greek word "melankhola," where "melas" means "black" and "khole" means "bile." It was once believed that an excess of black bile in the body caused sadness.
Famous Quote
"We know that the nature of life is to have both joy and melancholy." - Robert C. Solomon
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "melancholy" mean?
a) A feeling of great happiness
b) A deep sadness
c) An exciting adventure
d) A happy event
Answer: b) A deep sadness
2. Which of these is a synonym of "melancholy"?
a) Joy
b) Sadness
c) Happiness
d) Excitement
Answer: b) Sadness
3. Which of the following is an antonym of "melancholy"?
a) Gloom
b) Delight
c) Sorrow
d) Gloominess
Answer: b) Delight
4. Which sentence uses "melancholy" correctly?
a) She felt a sense of melancholy while watching the happy parade.
b) The melancholy song made everyone feel cheerful.
c) He shared his melancholy thoughts about the past.
d) The puppy was in a melancholy mood after playing.
Answer: c) He shared his melancholy thoughts about the past.
5. Which idiom means having a feeling of sadness?
a) Cold as ice
b) A touch of melancholy
c) Happy as a lark
d) A breath of fresh air
Answer: b) A touch of melancholy
