forlornly
gb/fˈɔɹlɚnli/ us/fˈɔɹlɚnli/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
adverb
C1
state
1
sadly and alone
in a sad way because you feel alone
Usage pattern:
[someone] looks/sits/stands [forlornly]
Common mistake:
Don’t use it for ordinary sadness; it usually suggests loneliness or being left behind.
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.)
Collocations
look forlornly
|sit forlornly
|stand forlornly
|stare forlornly
|gaze forlornly
|smile forlornly
|wait forlornly
|glance forlornly
|wander forlornly
|watch forlornly
Themes
emotions
|relationships
|daily_life
Examples
- After everyone left, she stood forlornly by the door.
- The child sat forlornly on the steps, clutching a single glove.
- He smiled forlornly, as if he already knew the answer was no.
Learner examples
- He looked forlornly out the window.
- She waited forlornly for her friend.
adverb
C1
state
2
hopelessly; with no expectation
in a way that shows you feel there is no hope
Usage pattern:
[someone] tries/appeals/looks [forlornly] for [something]
Common mistake:
Not the same as 'carelessly' or 'randomly'; it expresses despair, not lack of effort.
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.)
Collocations
try forlornly
|appeal forlornly
|search forlornly
|look forlornly for
|glance forlornly at
|ask forlornly
|hope forlornly
|reach forlornly
|gesture forlornly
|wait forlornly
Themes
emotions
|problems
|work
Examples
- He knocked forlornly on the locked office door, knowing no one would answer.
- She looked forlornly at the empty calendar, realizing the trip was cancelled.
- The team listened forlornly as the final minutes ran out.
Learner examples
- He asked forlornly for another chance.
adverb
C1
property
3
in a pitiful-looking way
in a way that makes you feel sorry
Usage pattern:
[something/someone] hangs/stands/sits [forlornly] [somewhere]
Common mistake:
Often used for appearance or posture; it doesn’t mean 'ugly'—it suggests pity.
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.)
Collocations
hang forlornly
|stand forlornly
|sit forlornly
|lie forlornly
|wag forlornly
|droop forlornly
|trail forlornly
|wait forlornly
|remain forlornly
|look forlornly
Themes
emotions
|animals
|daily_life
Examples
- A single balloon bobbed forlornly at the end of its string.
- The old dog wagged its tail forlornly from the doorway.
- His jacket hung forlornly on the back of the chair.
Learner examples
- The toy lay forlornly on the floor.
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.