lament Meaning

  • literary
  • formal

To lament is to express deep sorrow, grief, or regret about something. The mental image is one of a person mourning a loss or crying out in distress over a situation that can no longer be changed. It implies an emotional weight that goes beyond mere sadness, often involving a vocal or outward demonstration of pain. You will most commonly see this word in literature, journalism, or formal speeches. While you can "lament" a person's death, it is frequently used to describe a collective complaint about a situation, such as "lamenting the decline of local businesses." It is generally too dramatic for everyday conversation; you wouldn't say you "lament" dropping your ice cream, but you might lament the loss of your favorite childhood park.

A WordDream illustration of lament
A picture makes lament easier to remember than a definition alone.

lament in Conversation

Discussing a closed bookstore

  • Sarah: It's such a shame that the old bookstore downtown is finally closing its doors.It's such a shame that the old bookstore downtown is finally closing its doors.
  • Mark: I know, everyone in the neighborhood has been lamenting the loss of such a community staple.I know, everyone in the neighborhood has been lamenting the loss of such a community staple.

Used here to describe a shared sense of regret over a cultural loss.

Reading a poem

  • Teacher: Notice how the poet laments the passing of time in the second stanza.Notice how the poet laments the passing of time in the second stanza.
  • Student: Does that mean he's just sad about getting older?Does that mean he's just sad about getting older?
  • Teacher: Yes, but it's a more poetic, intense form of grief than just being sad.Yes, but it's a more poetic, intense form of grief than just being sad.

Highlights the literary and intense emotional nature of the verb.

Examples

  1. She lamented the loss of her cat.

    She lamented the loss of her cat.

  2. The report laments the lack of progress in environmental policy.

    The report laments the lack of progress in environmental policy.

  3. He spent the evening lamenting the missed opportunities of his youth.

    He spent the evening lamenting the missed opportunities of his youth.