woeful
/ˈwəʊfəl/
Group 20Difficulty 1/3
Definition
- (adjective)
- Characterized by, expressive of, or causing sorrow or misery; very bad, deplorable GRE
Example in Context
The report cataloged the woeful state of the country's infrastructure, with bridges, roads, and water systems all rated below safe standards.
Synonyms
sadpitifulmiserable
Etymology
Full of sorrow and misery.
- woe (Old English) — sorrow
- ful (Old English) — full of
Memory Aid
😢Sounds like “woeful”
A WOEFUL puppy with a sad face, saying, 'I’m FULL of tears and begging for treats!'
Visual Association
😔A puppy sitting alone in a rain-soaked yard, looking up with big, sad eyes.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “woeful” mean on the GRE?
woeful (adjective) means “Characterized by, expressive of, or causing sorrow or misery; very bad, deplorable”. The report cataloged the woeful state of the country's infrastructure, with bridges, roads, and water systems all rated below safe standards.
How to remember “woeful” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “woeful” sounds like “woeful”. A WOEFUL puppy with a sad face, saying, 'I’m FULL of tears and begging for treats!'
What are synonyms for “woeful”?
Common synonyms: sad, pitiful, miserable.