plaintive
/ˈpleɪntɪv/
Group 24Difficulty 2/3
Definition
- (adjective)
- Sounding sad and mournful GRE
Example in Context
The plaintive cry of the violin in the final movement brought the audience to tears, a testament to the composer's emotional depth.
Synonyms
sadmournfulsorrowful
Etymology
Tending to lament or express sorrow.
- plaint- (Latin) — to lament
- -ive (Latin) — tending to
Memory Aid
😢Sounds like “plain-tive”
A plain potato wearing glasses and crying because it can't be a fancy French fry — it sounds PLAINTIVE!
Visual Association
🎻A sad violinist playing a mournful tune in a dimly lit room, creating a PLAINTIVE atmosphere.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “plaintive” mean on the GRE?
plaintive (adjective) means “Sounding sad and mournful”. The plaintive cry of the violin in the final movement brought the audience to tears, a testament to the composer's emotional depth.
How to remember “plaintive” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “plaintive” sounds like “plain-tive”. A plain potato wearing glasses and crying because it can't be a fancy French fry — it sounds PLAINTIVE!
What are synonyms for “plaintive”?
Common synonyms: sad, mournful, sorrowful.