grief
Definitions
Deep sorrow, especially caused by someone's death or by loss
悲痛，悲伤（尤指因丧亲或失去）
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedgrief comes from grav (heavy) by way of Old French, where it softened to griev-. A heavy heart is grief. The 'weight' is no longer physical — it is the crushing heaviness of sorrow.
Root grav still carries 18 more wordsWhy It Means This
Grief is the same idea as gravity, dressed in French clothing. Latin gravis 'heavy' became French griev-, and physical heaviness turned into heaviness of the heart. When we say grief 'weighs on you' or is a 'heavy loss,' we are unknowingly translating the root back to its original meaning.
Example Sentences
- 1.
She was overwhelmed by grief after her mother died.
- 2.
It took him years to come to terms with his grief.
- 3.
The whole community shared in the family's grief.
Easily Confused
grief vs sorrow vs sadness — All three name unhappiness, but grief is the strongest and most specific: deep pain from a real loss, usually death. sorrow is sustained, dignified sadness, often over something regrettable. sadness is the everyday, mildest word. You grieve a death; you feel sorrow over a tragedy; you feel sadness on a rainy day.
Synonym Comparison
- grief — deep, acute pain from loss, especially death
- sorrow — lasting, dignified sadness, often over wrong or regret
- mourning — the outward expression of grief (rituals, black clothes)
- anguish — intense, often physical-feeling distress
- heartache — ongoing emotional pain, often from love or longing