Daily Word • Learn, play, and grow your vocabulary
'Grievous' means causing great sorrow or pain. It's more intense than 'sad' or 'unfortunate'. It implies a deep and lasting impact, often emotional or physical. It's like a wound that takes a long time to heal. It emphasizes the severity and distress caused by something. Think tragic news or a terrible accident.
The word 'grievous' comes from the Old French 'greveos,' meaning 'burdensome, grievous,' which derives from 'grever,' meaning 'to burden or grieve.' This originates from the Latin 'gravare,' meaning 'to load, burden.' So 'grievous' literally means 'causing a heavy burden of sorrow.' It shares a root with words like 'grief' and 'aggravate'.
In 'The Lord of the Rings,' Frodo's journey is filled with grievous trials. He suffers both physical and emotional pain, especially from the Ring's influence. The word 'grievous' perfectly captures the weight of his burden and the magnitude of his sacrifice. Also think about the grievous wound on his shoulder.
Using 'grievous' adds depth and intensity to your vocabulary. When you want to express profound sorrow or pain, this is your word! Try to use it in your writing or conversations to convey the gravity of a situation. 🖤
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