forlornly
gb/fˈɔɹlɚnli/ us/fˈɔɹlɚnli/
C1
English
elhagyatottan, szomorúan, reményvesztetten, reménytelenül, árván
C1
1
szomorúan
A2
Usage pattern:
[someone] looks/sits/stands [forlornly]
After everyone left, she stood forlornly by the door.
Miután mindenki elment, elhagyatottan állt az ajtónál.
The child sat forlornly on the steps, clutching a single glove.
A gyerek elhagyatottan ült a lépcsőn, és egyetlen kesztyűjét szorongatta.
He smiled forlornly, as if he already knew the answer was no.
Learner examples
He looked forlornly out the window.
Szomorúan nézett kifelé az ablakon.
She waited forlornly for her friend.
Szomorúan várta a barátját.
Common mistake:
Don’t use it for ordinary sadness; it usually suggests loneliness or being left behind.
Meaning
sadly and alone
Collocations
look forlornly
|sit forlornly
|stand forlornly
|stare forlornly
|gaze forlornly
|smile forlornly
|wait forlornly
|glance forlornly
|wander forlornly
|watch forlornly
Synonyms
lonelily (Focuses more on being alone than on sadness.)
|
miserably (Stronger general unhappiness; not always about being abandoned.)
Antonyms
happily (Opposite emotional state.)
|
cheerfully (Shows positive mood rather than sadness.)
Themes
emotions
|relationships
|daily_life
Definition
in a sad way because you feel alone
In a sad way that shows loneliness, abandonment, or being left without comfort or support.
C1
2
Usage pattern:
[someone] tries/appeals/looks [forlornly] for [something]
He knocked forlornly on the locked office door, knowing no one would answer.
Tudva, hogy senki sem fog válaszolni, reményvesztetten kopogott a zárt iroda ajtaján.
She looked forlornly at the empty calendar, realizing the trip was cancelled.
Amikor rájött, hogy az utazást lemondták, reményvesztetten nézett az üres naptárra.
The team listened forlornly as the final minutes ran out.
Learner examples
He asked forlornly for another chance.
Reményvesztetten kért még egy esélyt.
Common mistake:
Not the same as 'carelessly' or 'randomly'; it expresses despair, not lack of effort.
Meaning
hopelessly; with no expectation
Collocations
try forlornly
|appeal forlornly
|search forlornly
|look forlornly for
|glance forlornly at
|ask forlornly
|hope forlornly
|reach forlornly
|gesture forlornly
|wait forlornly
Synonyms
hopelessly (Directly emphasizes lack of hope; less about being abandoned.)
|
despairingly (Stronger and more explicit about despair.)
Antonyms
hopefully (Shows expectation of success.)
|
confidently (Shows belief that something will work.)
Themes
emotions
|problems
|work
Definition
in a way that shows you feel there is no hope
In a way that shows a lack of hope or confidence that something will succeed or improve.
C1
3
árván
B2
Usage pattern:
[something/someone] hangs/stands/sits [forlornly] [somewhere]
A single balloon bobbed forlornly at the end of its string.
Egyetlen lufi árván himbálózott a madzaga végén.
The old dog wagged its tail forlornly from the doorway.
Az öreg kutya az ajtóban állva árván csóválta a farkát.
His jacket hung forlornly on the back of the chair.
Learner examples
The toy lay forlornly on the floor.
A játék árván hevert a padlón.
Common mistake:
Often used for appearance or posture; it doesn’t mean 'ugly'—it suggests pity.
Meaning
in a pitiful-looking way
Collocations
hang forlornly
|stand forlornly
|sit forlornly
|lie forlornly
|wag forlornly
|droop forlornly
|trail forlornly
|wait forlornly
|remain forlornly
|look forlornly
Synonyms
pitifully (More direct about causing pity; less poetic.)
|
pathetically (Can sound more critical or contemptuous than 'forlornly'.)
Antonyms
proudly (Shows confidence and dignity rather than pitiable neglect.)
|
smartly (Suggests neatness and energy, the opposite of neglected-looking.)
Themes
emotions
|animals
|daily_life
Definition
in a way that makes you feel sorry
In a way that makes someone or something look pitiable, neglected, or sadly out of place.
Grammar
Dictionary form
forlornly
IPA
GB/fˈɔɹlɚnli/
US/fˈɔɹlɚnli/
Syllables & stress
for - lornly (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (for)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: forlornly
- Plural: forlornlies
Word family
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.