plaintive
gb/plˈeɪntɪv/ us/plˈeɪntɪv/
C1
Inglés
~ 9500
Acepciones
0 acepciones
adjective
literary
C1
property
1
sounding sad and mournful
Sounding or looking quietly sad, like a soft, sad cry or voice.
Patrón de uso:
a plaintive [noun]
Error frecuente:
Learners sometimes confuse "plaintive" with "plain" (simple, not decorated) or with the legal word "plaintiff." "Plaintive" is mainly used for sounds, voices, music, or looks that seem quietly sad, not for things that are simple or for legal people.
Sinónimos
mournful (Stronger and more clearly about grief or sorrow; slightly less gentle than "plaintive.")
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wistful (Suggests a sad, dreamy feeling about something you miss or want; less about sound itself.)
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sad (More general and very common; lacks the soft, thin, crying quality implied by "plaintive.")
Antónimos
cheerful (Describes a bright, happy sound or expression, opposite of the soft sadness in "plaintive.")
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joyful (Emphasizes strong happiness, especially in voice or music, contrasting with quiet sorrow.)
Colocaciones
plaintive cry
|plaintive wail
|plaintive voice
|plaintive note
|plaintive look
|plaintive melody
Temas
emotions
|communication
|art
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- A plaintive cry echoed across the empty hallway.
- The violinist drew out a long, plaintive melody that made the audience fall silent.
- There was a plaintive note in his voice as he told the story.
- She gave him a plaintive look, as if asking for help without words.
- Outside, a dog let out a series of plaintive howls in the night.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- We heard a plaintive cry from the dark street.
- The singer’s plaintive voice made me feel sad.
- A small, plaintive sound came from the baby’s room.
- There was something plaintive in her eyes when she said goodbye.
- The song has a slow, plaintive melody.
Gramática
Forma de diccionario
plaintive
AFI
GB/plˈeɪntɪv/
US/plˈeɪntɪv/
Sílabas y acento
plaint - ive (2 sílabas)
Stress on 1st syllable (plaint)
Formas de la palabra
Adjective
- Base: plaintive
Familia de palabras
Expresiones
plaintive cry
1/plˈeɪntɪv kɹˈaɪ/
fixed phrase
literary
a sad, thin, high-pitched cry
A soft, high sound that shows quiet sadness or pain.
Ejemplos
- We heard a plaintive cry coming from the alley.
- The bird gave a plaintive cry before flying away.
plaintive note
1/plˈeɪntɪv nˈoʊt/
fixed phrase
literary
a touch of quiet sadness in sound
A small but clear sound of sadness in someone’s voice or in music.
Ejemplos
- There was a plaintive note in his laughter.
- The song ends on a plaintive note that stays with you.
plaintive voice
1/plˈeɪntɪv vˈɔɪs/
fixed phrase
literary
a voice that sounds quietly sad
A way of speaking or singing that sounds soft and sad.
Ejemplos
- Her plaintive voice carried clearly through the hall.
- He answered in a low, plaintive voice that surprised everyone.
plaintive wail
1/plˈeɪntɪv wˈeɪl/
fixed phrase
literary
a long, sad, high-pitched wail
A long, high sound that clearly shows strong sadness or pain.
Ejemplos
- A plaintive wail rose from the crowd as the news spread.
- Somewhere in the distance, a siren gave a low, plaintive wail.