Elegiac
adjective
Relating to a poem or a song that expresses sadness, especially for someone who has died.
The poet's elegiac verses moved the audience to tears.
Often appears as...
- elegiac poem
- elegiac stanza
Usage tips
Literary
adjective
Having a quality of sadness and remembering some events from the past.
The movie has an elegiac tone to it, reflecting on the innocence and joy of childhood.
Often appears as...
- elegiac tone
- elegiac reminiscences
adjective
Relating to a poem or a song that expresses sadness, especially for someone who has died.
The poet's elegiac verses moved the audience to tears.
Often appears as...
- elegiac poem
- elegiac stanza
Usage tips
Literary
adjective
Having a quality of sadness and remembering some events from the past.
The movie has an elegiac tone to it, reflecting on the innocence and joy of childhood.
Often appears as...
- elegiac tone
- elegiac reminiscences
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Lamenting Loss
Elegiac often describes work lamenting someone's death, capturing grief and respect.
Her elegiac eulogy honoured her grandmother's memory beautifully.
Pro Tip 2/3Historical Roots
Originating from ancient Greek and Latin poetry, 'elegiac' carries a classic, timeless feel.
The elegiac poem drew on themes from Greek myths.
Pro Tip 3/3Reflecting Sorrow
Works labeled 'elegiac' often reflect on the sorrow of loss, not just the fact of it.
The monument inscriptions were elegiac, reflecting the town's collective sorrow.
Pro Tip 1/3Lamenting Loss
Elegiac often describes work lamenting someone's death, capturing grief and respect.
Her elegiac eulogy honoured her grandmother's memory beautifully.
Pro Tip 2/3Historical Roots
Originating from ancient Greek and Latin poetry, 'elegiac' carries a classic, timeless feel.
The elegiac poem drew on themes from Greek myths.
Pro Tip 3/3Reflecting Sorrow
Works labeled 'elegiac' often reflect on the sorrow of loss, not just the fact of it.
The monument inscriptions were elegiac, reflecting the town's collective sorrow.
Pro Tip 1/3Lamenting Loss
Elegiac often describes work lamenting someone's death, capturing grief and respect.
Her elegiac eulogy honoured her grandmother's memory beautifully.
Pro Tip 2/3Historical Roots
Originating from ancient Greek and Latin poetry, 'elegiac' carries a classic, timeless feel.
The elegiac poem drew on themes from Greek myths.
Pro Tip 3/3Reflecting Sorrow
Works labeled 'elegiac' often reflect on the sorrow of loss, not just the fact of it.
The monument inscriptions were elegiac, reflecting the town's collective sorrow.
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Quote examples
Natasha Trethewey
American Poet
Memory.' 'Race.' 'Murder.' That's what they say about me. I am an elegiac poet. I have some historical questions, and I'm grappling with ways to make sense of history; why it still haunts us in our most intimate relationships with each other, but also in our political decisions.
Quote examples
Charlie Pierce
American Journalist
As he enters his final term, with the elegiac music playing out there in the distance, Barack Obama will use the history that he has come to embody and, perhaps, even to fulfill, as part of a larger project that never will be completed but only finished, over and over again.
Quote examples
Joyce Carol Oates
American Novelist
Most people think that a widow is inhabiting some elegiac world of - it's like Mozart's 'Requiem Mass.' You know, it's very beautiful and elevated thoughts and some measure of dignity. I didn't have that experience at all. I had one pratfall after another.
Quote examples
Richard Russo
American Novelist
My books are elegiac in the sense that they're odes to a nation that even I sometimes think may not exist anymore except in my memory and my imagination.
Quote examples
Jim Crace
English Writer
Because I'm a walker, natural history is my subject; I've always been obsessed with landscape, and I have an elegiac tone in most of my books.
Quote examples
Natasha Trethewey
American Poet
Memory.' 'Race.' 'Murder.' That's what they say about me. I am an elegiac poet. I have some historical questions, and I'm grappling with ways to make sense of history; why it still haunts us in our most intimate relationships with each other, but also in our political decisions.
Quote examples
Charlie Pierce
American Journalist
As he enters his final term, with the elegiac music playing out there in the distance, Barack Obama will use the history that he has come to embody and, perhaps, even to fulfill, as part of a larger project that never will be completed but only finished, over and over again.
Quote examples
Joyce Carol Oates
American Novelist
Most people think that a widow is inhabiting some elegiac world of - it's like Mozart's 'Requiem Mass.' You know, it's very beautiful and elevated thoughts and some measure of dignity. I didn't have that experience at all. I had one pratfall after another.
Quote examples
Richard Russo
American Novelist
My books are elegiac in the sense that they're odes to a nation that even I sometimes think may not exist anymore except in my memory and my imagination.
Quote examples
Jim Crace
English Writer
Because I'm a walker, natural history is my subject; I've always been obsessed with landscape, and I have an elegiac tone in most of my books.
Example 1 of 5
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