grief

Reading level: medium

Estimated CEFR level: A2 — Elementary

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun intense sorrow caused by loss of a loved one (especially by death)
  2. noun something that causes great unhappiness

Etymology

From Middle English greef, gref, from Old French grief (“grave, heavy, grievous, sad”), from Latin gravis (“heavy, grievous, sad”). Doublet of grave.

In classic literature

Synonyms

heartache, heartbreak, brokenheartedness

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