Forlorn – lonely and unhappy

PRONOUNCE FORLORN

(Pronounced four-lawn)

REMEMBER MEANING OF FORLORN

To remember the definition of the word forlorn, use the following mnemonic:

The four lawns (forlorn) each had a lonely and unhappy homeless person on them.

Forlorn can also mean hopeless, or unlikely to succeed, in relation to a plan, an aim or an ambition, for instance: "He had been badly injured, but still had the forlorn aim of becoming an athlete."

Examples of forlorn in a sentence

The poor dog has been forlorn since its owner died.

The lost child looked forlorn as she walked slowly along the narrow street.

He was so forlorn and despairing that he lost track of time and missed most meals.