In the following question, out of the four alternatives, choose the word which best expresses the meaning of the given word and click the button corresponding to it. Melancholy
Sorrowful
Understanding the Meaning of Melancholy
The question asks us to find the word that best expresses the meaning of "Melancholy". To answer this, we need to understand what "Melancholy" means and then examine the options provided.
Defining Melancholy
The word Melancholy refers to a deep, pervasive feeling of sadness or gloom, often without a clear cause. It's more than just a fleeting moment of unhappiness; it implies a prolonged state of low spirits and pensiveness.
Analyzing the Options
Let's look at the meaning of each alternative:
- Thrifty: This word means careful in the use of money or resources; economical. It relates to finances and resource management, not feelings.
- Curious: This word means eager to know or learn something. It describes a state of interest or inquisitiveness, not sadness.
- Sorrowful: This word means feeling or showing sorrow; sad. Sorrow is a feeling of deep distress caused by loss, disappointment, or other misfortune. "Sorrowful" directly relates to the feeling of sadness.
- Chastity: This word means the state or practice of refraining from sexual intercourse. It is related to moral or religious beliefs about sexual conduct, not feelings of sadness.
Comparing Meanings and Finding the Synonym for Melancholy
Comparing the meaning of "Melancholy" (pensive sadness, gloom) with the meanings of the options, we can see which word is the closest synonym:
- Melancholy vs. Thrifty: No connection.
- Melancholy vs. Curious: No connection.
- Melancholy vs. Sorrowful: Both relate to sadness and gloom. "Sorrowful" is a direct synonym for feeling sad, which is the core meaning of melancholy.
- Melancholy vs. Chastity: No connection.
Therefore, "Sorrowful" is the word that best expresses the meaning of "Melancholy".
Conclusion on Melancholy Meaning
Based on the definitions and comparisons, the most appropriate synonym for "Melancholy" among the given options is "Sorrowful".
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Melancholy | Pensive sadness, gloom, low spirits |
| Thrifty | Economical, careful with money |
| Curious | Eager to know or learn |
| Sorrowful | Feeling or showing sadness; full of sorrow |
| Chastity | Refraining from sexual activity |
Revision Table: Mastering Vocabulary
| Word | Type | Meaning | Synonyms | Antonyms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melancholy | Noun/Adjective | A feeling of pensive sadness, typically with no obvious cause. (Adj: Sad, gloomy, or depressed.) | Sorrowful, sad, gloomy, despondent, downcast | Cheerful, happy, joyful, optimistic |
| Thrifty | Adjective | Using money and other resources carefully and not wastefully. | Economical, frugal, saving | Wasteful, extravagant, lavish |
| Curious | Adjective | Eager to know or learn something. | Inquisitive, interested, nosy (informal) | Indifferent, uninterested, incurious |
| Sorrowful | Adjective | Feeling or showing sorrow; sad. | Sad, unhappy, mournful, miserable | Happy, joyful, cheerful, glad |
| Chastity | Noun | The state or practice of refraining from extramarital, or especially from all, sexual intercourse. | Celibacy, purity, virginity | Promiscuity, unchastity |
Additional Information: Expanding Vocabulary Knowledge
Understanding synonyms and antonyms is crucial for improving vocabulary and performance in language-based tests. Words often have subtle differences in meaning, but finding the "best expresses the meaning" requires identifying the closest match in context.
- Synonyms: Words that have similar meanings. Identifying synonyms helps you understand nuance and choose the most appropriate word in different situations.
- Antonyms: Words that have opposite meanings. Learning antonyms helps solidify your understanding of a word's meaning by contrasting it with its opposite.
- Context: The surrounding words or situation can sometimes influence which synonym is the best fit. In this case, the question asks for the word that "best expresses the meaning" generally, not in a specific context.
Regularly learning new words and their related terms (synonyms, antonyms, usage) is the most effective way to build a strong vocabulary for competitive exams.
Important Questions from Synonyms or Antonyms
Directions: Each item in this section consists of a sentence with an underlined word followed by four options, (a), (b), (c) and (d). Select the option that is opposite in meaning to the underlined word and mark your response accordingly.
He had the audacity to blame him.
Directions: Each item in this section consists of a sentence with an underlined word followed by four options, (a), (b), (c) and (d). Select the option that is opposite in meaning to the underlined word and mark your response accordingly.
There is exponential growth in the development of the scientific researches in the recent few decades.
Directions : Item in this section consists of a sentence with an underlined word followed by four words/group of words (a), (b), (c) and (d). Select the option that is nearest in meaning to the underlined word and mark your response in the Answer Sheet accordingly.
The itinerary of the group’s visit to the hills was given to everyone.
Directions : Item in this section consists of a sentence with an underlined word followed by four words/group of words (a), (b), (c) and (d). Select the option that is nearest in meaning to the underlined word and mark your response in the Answer Sheet accordingly.
All mortal elements are impermanent.
Directions : Item in this section consists of a sentence with an underlined word followed by four words (a), (b), (c) and (d). Select the option that is opposite in meaning to the underlined word and mark your response in the Answer Sheet accordingly.
The novel depicts the hapless status of certain sections of society.
