melancholy crossword clue – All Crossword Answers
Stuck on the "melancholy" crossword clue? You've come to the right place! We've compiled a comprehensive list of all possible answers, spanning various word lengths, to help you complete your puzzle. Dive into the solutions and their explanations below to find exactly what you need.
Solutions for "melancholy crossword clue" by Letter Count
3 Letters
SAD: A common, simple synonym for melancholy, implying unhappiness or sorrow.
4 Letters
BLUE: Often used informally to describe a state of sadness or low spirits, directly relating to melancholy.
6 Letters
GLOOMY: Suggests a feeling of despondency or depression, characterized by a lack of hope or cheer, a key aspect of melancholy.
SOMBER: Describes a serious, grave, or even dark mood, which can be an expression of melancholy.
7 Letters
DOLEFUL: Expressing sorrow; mournful. This word perfectly captures the mournful aspect of melancholy.
9 Letters
SORROWFUL: Full of sorrow or grief; feeling or showing sadness. A direct descriptor of a melancholy state.
10 Letters
DESPONDENT: In low spirits from loss of hope or courage; implies a deeper, more persistent state of melancholy.
More About "melancholy crossword clue"
The term "melancholy" conjures images of deep, often quiet, sadness or a thoughtful state of pensiveness. In crosswords, it's a wonderfully rich clue because it can lead to a wide array of synonyms, from common terms for sadness to more nuanced words describing a pensive or mournful disposition. Understanding the shades of meaning within 'melancholy' is key to unlocking its potential answers.
Crossword setters love 'melancholy' because it allows for a diverse set of answers depending on the required letter count. It's not just about simple sadness; it can also hint at a contemplative or artistic sadness, a feeling that often leads to introspection rather than overt distress. This makes it a fascinating clue that tests not just your vocabulary, but also your understanding of emotional subtleties.
When you encounter 'melancholy,' consider the surrounding letters you already have filled in. This can quickly narrow down whether the setter is looking for a short, direct synonym like SAD, or a more descriptive and longer word such as DESPONDENT or SORROWFUL. Always keep an open mind to the various emotional states that 'melancholy' can encompass.
Tips For Your Next Puzzle
- Analyze the Nuance: For clues like "melancholy," consider the specific type of sadness or mood being implied. Is it a brief feeling, or a deep, lingering state? This can help differentiate between similar-length answers.
- Check Letter Count First: Always count the available boxes immediately. This is the single most effective way to eliminate incorrect answers and focus on plausible solutions for "melancholy crossword clue."
- Look for Common Prefixes/Suffixes: Many words related to emotions share common prefixes (e.g., de-, un-) or suffixes (e.g., -ful, -ing). If you have a few letters, try to anticipate these patterns.
- Consider Phrasal Verbs: While "melancholy" is often a single word, sometimes a clue could imply a two-word answer (e.g., "down in the dumps"). Always check if the grid allows for multiple words.
For more advice, visit our page on general crossword strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'melancholy' typically imply in crossword clues?
In crosswords, 'melancholy' usually points to answers related to sadness, gloom, despondency, or a pensive, thoughtful sorrow. It often requires you to think of synonyms for these states or words describing a low mood.
Are there common word lengths for 'melancholy' answers?
Yes, common answers for 'melancholy' can range from short words like SAD (3 letters) and BLUE (4 letters) to longer ones such as GLOOMY (6), DOLEFUL (7), SORROWFUL (9), and DESPONDENT (10). The context of the puzzle and the number of available letters are key.
How can I distinguish 'melancholy' from similar clues like 'sad' or 'depressed'?
While 'melancholy' is closely related to 'sad' or 'depressed,' it often carries a nuance of reflective, pensive, or even artistic sorrow, rather than just simple unhappiness. Crossword setters might use it to prompt answers like DOLEFUL or PENSIVE, which have a slightly different feel than just SAD.