pitiful

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: B2 — Upper-Intermediate

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. adjective inspiring mixed contempt and pity
  2. adjective bad; unfortunate
  3. adjective deserving or inciting pity; ; ; - Galsworthy

Etymology

From Middle English pityful, piteful, piteeful. By surface analysis, pit(i) + -ful.

In classic literature

Synonyms

pathetic, pitiable

A single word — an entire dictionary opens.

Type a word, a sentence, a book title, or a link to an English article. WordNet and the Classics answer.

Try

A library of classics · a vault of words · instant etymology & meaning

Continue reading