lamentation
gb/lˈeɪməntˈeɪʃən/ us/lˈeɪməntˈeɪʃən/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
Noun
formal
C1
abstract
1
an expression of deep sorrow
A strong expression of sadness, especially after someone dies.
Usage pattern:
lamentation for [someone] / lamentation over [something]
Common mistake:
Often confused with the verb "lament"; "lamentation" is the noun for the expression itself.
Synonyms
mourning (More common; often refers to the period or customs after a death.)
|
grief (The feeling itself rather than the expressed display.)
|
wailing (Specifically loud crying or howling sounds.)
Antonyms
rejoicing (An expression of happiness rather than sorrow.)
|
celebration (A joyful public response instead of mourning.)
Collocations
cries of lamentation
|public lamentation
|loud lamentation
|a lamentation for the dead
|lamentation over a loss
|echo with lamentation
|scenes of lamentation
|weep and lamentation
|an outpouring of lamentation
|mournful lamentation
Themes
emotions
|communication
|death
|relationships
Examples
- The news of his death was met with lamentation throughout the community.
- Her lamentation for the life she had lost was raw and public.
- Inside the house, the sound of lamentation carried into the street.
Learner examples
- There was lamentation after the accident.
- People showed lamentation for the victims.
Noun
formal
C1
abstract
2
a strong complaint or protest
A strong complaint about something bad.
Usage pattern:
lamentation about [something] / lamentation over [something]
Common mistake:
This sense is often plural in real use ("lamentations"), but the singular is also possible in formal writing.
Synonyms
complaint (More neutral and common; usually less dramatic.)
|
protest (More active and often connected to public disagreement or politics.)
|
grumbling (More informal and quieter; suggests irritation.)
Antonyms
acceptance (A calm willingness to live with the situation instead of complaining.)
|
approval (A positive response rather than dissatisfaction.)
Collocations
political lamentation
|endless lamentation
|public lamentation about costs
|lamentation over delays
|lamentation about the economy
|a chorus of lamentation
|constant lamentation
|general lamentation
|familiar lamentation
|a round of lamentation
Themes
communication
|problems
|society
Examples
- There was plenty of lamentation about the new rules, but no one offered a solution.
- His speech turned into lamentation over how unfair the process was.
- The meeting ended with lamentation rather than a plan of action.
Learner examples
- I heard lamentation about the price increase.
- Please stop the lamentation and help fix the problem.
Noun
literary
C2
entity
3
a mourning poem or song
A sad poem or song for someone who died.
Usage pattern:
a lamentation for [someone]
Synonyms
elegy (A well-known literary term for a poem of mourning, often more formal.)
|
dirge (A slow, sorrowful song, especially for a funeral.)
Antonyms
paean (A song or piece of writing expressing praise or joy.)
|
ode (Often celebrates or praises rather than mourns.)
Collocations
a lamentation for the fallen
|a lyrical lamentation
|an ancient lamentation
|a funeral lamentation
|a lamentation poem
|a lamentation song
|a written lamentation
|a traditional lamentation
Themes
literature
|music
|emotions
|death
Examples
- The collection includes a lamentation for soldiers lost at sea.
- In the final scene, the chorus delivers a haunting lamentation.
- She performed a traditional lamentation that has been passed down for generations.
Learner examples
- The poet wrote a lamentation for his friend.
- The singer sang a lamentation at the funeral.
Grammar
Dictionary form
lamentation
IPA
GB/lˈeɪməntˈeɪʃən/
US/lˈeɪməntˈeɪʃən/
Syllables & stress
lam - ent - a - tion (4 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (lam)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: lamentation
- Plural: lamentation, lamentations
Word family
Forms
lamentations
noun
Core family
lament
verb C1
Related words
lamentable
adjective C1
lamentably
adverb
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.