mourn

To feel deep sadness because someone has died.

• She mourns her brother.
• They mourned their father for many years.
• He is still mourning the death of his wife.

How to use it: mourn someone/something (We mourned the loss of our closest friend.); mourn for someone (She mourned for her husband.)

Similar words: grieve

Common phrases: mourn someone, mourn a death, mourn for someone

To show sadness about a death, loss, or something you no longer have.

• The community mourned her passing.
• He mourned the loss of his childhood home.
• They openly mourn the end of their friendship.

How to use it: mourn someone/something (She mourned the opportunities she had lost.)

Similar words: lament, grieve over

Common phrases: mourn a loss, mourn someone’s passing, mourn the end

To follow social customs that honour someone who has died.

• The family mourned for seven days.
• They wore black to mourn their queen.
• How long does this community traditionally mourn its dead?

How to use it: mourn for a period of time (They mourned for forty days after the funeral.)

Similar words: observe mourning

Common phrases: mourn for days, mourn in black, mourn the dead