Grief

/ɡriːf/

Meaning & Definition

noun

Deep sorrow, especially that caused by someone's death.

She felt a profound grief after the loss of her beloved grandmother.

A cause or reason for such sorrow.

His grief was compounded by the sudden nature of the tragedy.

A state of deep mental anguish or distress.

The grief he experienced after the breakup was overwhelming.

Middle English, from Old French 'grief' meaning 'heavy, serious, or grievous', derived from Latin 'gravis' meaning 'heavy'.

grief-stricken

Overcome with deep sorrow.

to grieve for

To feel sorrow for someone who has died.

grief counseling

Therapy aimed at helping people cope with loss.

mourning

The act of expressing grief or sorrow.

lamentation

An expression of sorrow or grief.

bereavement

The state of having lost someone close.

Heavy feelings or overwhelming sadness.

He's been feeling a lot of grief since the breakup.

A situation causing emotional pain.

That exam was sheer grief; I barely studied.