dirge
What does "dirge" mean?
A dirge is a somber, mournful song or piece of music composed specifically to accompany funeral rites or to express deep grief. Imagine a slow, heavy melody played by a lone instrument or sung by a choir at a graveside; it is intended to evoke the solemnity of death and the weight of sorrow. While historically associated with actual funeral processions, the word is often used metaphorically today to describe any sound or piece of writing that feels bleak, depressing, or funereal. You might hear a critic describe a gloomy, slow-tempo song as a "dirge," implying that it lacks energy and feels overly heavy or morose.
"dirge" in a sentence
The piper played a mournful dirge for the fallen soldiers.
The piper played a mournful dirge for the fallen soldiers.
The rain tapped against the window like a rhythmic dirge.
The rain tapped against the window like a rhythmic dirge.
His long, rambling speech was a dirge for the company's failed ambitions.
His long, rambling speech was a dirge for the company's failed ambitions.
