Antonyms for melancholy

Grammar : Adj, noun

Spell : mel-uhn-kol-ee

Phonetic Transcription : ˈmɛl ənˌkɒl i

Definition of melancholy

Origin : c.1300, "condition characterized by sullenness, gloom, irritability," from Old French melancolie "black bile, ill disposition, anger, annoyance" (13c.), from Late Latin melancholia, from Greek melankholia "sadness," literally (excess of) "black bile," from melas (genitive melanos) "black" (see melanin) + khole "bile" (see Chloe). Medieval physiology attributed depression to excess of "black bile," a secretion of the spleen and one of the body's four "humors."
The Latin word also is the source of Spanish melancolia, Italian melancolia, German Melancholie, Danish melankoli, etc. Old French variant malencolie (also in Middle English) is by false association with mal "sickness."

adj depressed, sad
noun depression, sadness

Example sentences :

If he be proved culpable in this most melancholy business, and, alas!
Extract from : « Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. 327 » by Various

She pitied herself,—that lowest ebb of melancholy self-consciousness.
Extract from : « Malbone » by Thomas Wentworth Higginson

"Trouble him not," murmured the melancholy man, with gentleness.
Extract from : « The Christmas Banquet (From "Mosses From An Old Manse") » by Nathaniel Hawthorne

If the boys had not appeared we might now be weeping in a melancholy row.
Extract from : « Grace Harlowe's Return to Overton Campus » by Jessie Graham Flower

And that was to Andrew the most melancholy sound in the world.
Extract from : « Way of the Lawless » by Max Brand

To these questions a mental echo answered with a melancholy negative.
Extract from : « Punchinello, Vol. 1, No. 7, May 14, 1870 » by Various

"Yes," he said; and looked at Stineli with a most melancholy expression.
Extract from : « Rico and Wiseli » by Johanna Spyri

In such a diversity it was impossible I should be disposed to melancholy.
Extract from : « The Adventures of Colonel Daniel Boone » by John Filson

He was leaning towards Jane, regarding her with melancholy tenderness.
Extract from : « Quaint Courtships » by Various

Vivian felt every moment his disgust and his melancholy increase.
Extract from : « Tales And Novels, Volume 5 (of 10) » by Maria Edgeworth

Synonyms for melancholy

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019