English Explanatory Dictionary

pitiful

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adj
  1. So appalling or sad that one feels or should feel sorry for it; eliciting pity.
  2. Eliciting contempt.
  3. Of an amount or number: very small.
  4. Feeling pity; merciful.
adv
  1. In a pitiful manner; pitifully; piteously; pathetically.

Pronunciation

/ˈpɪt.ɪ.fl̩/ en-us-pitiful.ogg

Word forms

pitiful pitifuller pitifullest pitifull more pitiful most pitiful

Etymology

From Middle English pityful, piteful, piteeful. By surface analysis, pit(i) + -ful.

Synonyms

compassionate pathetic pathetisad piteous pitiable pitiful pitisome poor rueful ruthful snivelly sorry-ass few meager paltry scant scanty thin commiserative clement lenient merciable mercied merciful relentful safe pitying

Antonyms

nonpathetic un-pathetic unpiteous unpitiable unrueful

Related words

pitiable pity pitying regretful

Derived words

pitifulness unpitiful
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