Definition of the word pitiful

Definition of the word pitiful

Pronunciation of vocabulary pitiful

pitifuladjective
thương tâm
/ˈpɪtɪfl//ˈpɪtɪfl/

Origin of the word pitiful

The word "pitiful" has a fascinating journey. It traces its roots back to the Old French word "piteous," which itself came from the Latin "pietas," meaning "piety" or "dutiful." Over time, "piteous" shifted in meaning to encompass the feeling of sadness or compassion. The suffix "-ful" was added to create "pitiful," emphasizing the quality of deserving pity or evoking compassion. Therefore, "pitiful" originally referred to something worthy of piety, but now often signifies something deserving pity or sadness.

Vocabulary summary pitiful

type adjective

meaning pity, pity, full of compassion

meaning piteous

meaning petty, insignificant (thing)

example a pitiful amount

Example of vocabulary pitifulnamespace

deserving pity or causing you to feel pity

đáng thương hại hoặc khiến bạn cảm thấy thương hại

The horse was a pitiful sight (= because it was very thin or sick).
Con ngựa là một cảnh tượng đáng thương (= vì nó rất gầy hoặc ốm yếu).
The homeless man huddled in the corner with a pitiful expression, begging for spare change.
Người đàn ông vô gia cư co ro ở góc phòng với vẻ mặt đáng thương, cầu xin tiền lẻ.
Her eyes were swollen and red from crying, and her appearance was nothing less than pitiful.
Đôi mắt cô sưng húp và đỏ hoe vì khóc, trông cô vô cùng đáng thương.
The thin, garbage-strewn alley was a pitiful sight, looking more like a dumpster than a street.
Con hẻm nhỏ, đầy rác trông thật đáng thương, trông giống một bãi rác hơn là một con phố.
The starving dog kenneled in the backyard, barely moving as it gazed longingly through the window, was a pitiful image.
Chú chó đói nằm trong cũi ở sân sau, hầu như không nhúc nhích, chỉ nhìn chằm chằm qua cửa sổ với vẻ thèm thuồng, trông thật đáng thương.