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lament meaning and examples

2025-09-06

Meaning

Lament has two main uses:

  1. Verb: To express grief, sorrow, or regret about something.
  2. Noun: A passionate expression of grief, often in words, music, or art.

It is often used in contexts of mourning, loss, or regret.

Grammar and Usage

  • Verb (transitive/intransitive): to lament something = to mourn or express sadness about something. to lament over/about something = to complain or express regret.

  • Noun: Refers to a song, poem, or statement expressing grief or sorrow.

Structures:

  • "lament (for) someone/something"
  • "lament that + clause"
  • "lament over/about something"

Common Phrases

  • lament the loss of…
  • a lament for…
  • lament over mistakes
  • lamentable condition (adjective form, meaning “regrettable”)

Collocations

  • verb + lament: deeply lament, bitterly lament, publicly lament
  • noun + lament: mournful lament, heartfelt lament, poetic lament
  • adjective + lament: sorrowful lament, tragic lament

Examples

  1. She lamented the loss of her childhood home.
  2. The poet wrote a lament for his beloved friend.
  3. He lamented that he had not studied harder for the exam.
  4. The old song is a lament for lost love.
  5. People gathered to lament over the destruction caused by the earthquake.
  6. The community lamented the passing of a great leader.
  7. His speech was full of laments about missed opportunities.
  8. The widow’s lament echoed through the church.
  • Verb: mourn, grieve, bewail, regret, deplore
  • Noun: elegy, dirge, requiem, complaint, moan