VocabDictionary

morose

/məˈroʊs/advanced Level

English Meaning & Definitions

1.adjective

Sullen, ill-tempered, or having a gloomy and unsociable disposition.

Example Sentences:
  • After the team lost the championship, the locker room was filled with a morose silence.
  • He became increasingly morose and withdrawn after his long-time business partner retired.
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English Synonyms & Near Equivalents

English Antonyms & Opposites

Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown

Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “morose”.

Thesaurus Entry
Cultural Origin & Etymology

Derived from the Latin word 'morosus', meaning 'peevish, fretful, or fastidious', which itself comes from 'mos' (genitive 'moris'), meaning 'custom' or 'manner'. Originally, it described someone who was 'stuck in their ways' or ill-tempered due to a rigid adherence to personal habits, eventually evolving into the modern sense of being sullen or gloomy.

Memory Aid & Mnemonic

Think of 'more rose'—if you give someone a rose and they are still sad, they are truly morose.

Frequently Asked Questions About “morose

1. What is the meaning of “morose” in English?

In English, morose (adjective) is defined as: “Sullen, ill-tempered, or having a gloomy and unsociable disposition.”.

2. How do you use “morose” in a sentence?

After the team lost the championship, the locker room was filled with a morose silence.

3. What are English synonyms of “morose”?

Common synonyms include:sullen,gloomy,surly,melancholy,saturnine

4. What is the etymology and word origin of “morose”?

Derived from the Latin word 'morosus', meaning 'peevish, fretful, or fastidious', which itself comes from 'mos' (genitive 'moris'), meaning 'custom' or 'manner'. Originally, it described someone who was 'stuck in their ways' or ill-tempered due to a rigid adherence to personal habits, eventually evolving into the modern sense of being sullen or gloomy.