lachrymose

adjective

lach·ry·mose ˈla-krə-ˌmōs

1

: given to tears or weeping : tearful

tended to become lachrymose when he was drunk

2

: tending to cause tears : mournful

a lachrymose drama

lachrymosely adverb

lachrymosity

ˌla-krə-ˈmä-sə-tē

noun

Did you know?

The misty-eyed souls among us will appreciate lachrymose, a word that can describe a person who tends to cry often, or an emotional trigger that induces tears. Those more stoic in disposition might be moved (though not to tears) to learn that lachrymose also has a scientific counterpart: its older cousin lachrymal can mean “of, relating to, or marked by tears,” or (usually with the alternative spelling lacrimal) “of, relating to, or being glands that produce tears.” Both lachrymose and lachrymal come from the Latin noun lacrima, meaning “tear.”

Example Sentences

a drama with a lachrymose hero the more lachrymose mourners at the funeral required a steady supply of tissues

Word History

Etymology

Latin lacrimosus, from lacrima

First Known Use

circa 1727, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of lachrymose was circa 1727

See more words from the same year

Podcast

Cite this Entry

Style

“Lachrymose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lachrymose. Accessed 7 Dec. 2022.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

lachrymose

adjective

lach·ry·mose ˈlak-rə-ˌmōs

1

: tending to weep : tearful

2

: tending to cause tears : mournful

a lachrymose drama

lachrymosely adverb

Last Updated: 7 Dec 2022 - Updated Did you know?

Word of the Day

lachrymose

Listen to the pronunciation of lachrymose

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Words Named After People

Namesake of the leotard, Jules Léotard had what profession?

Name That Thing

You know what it looks like… but what is it called?

TAKE THE QUIZ

Universal Daily Crossword

A daily challenge for crossword fanatics.

TAKE THE QUIZ