Grievous Meaning
/ˈɡɹiː.vəs/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
adjCausing grief, pain, or sorrow.
adjSerious, grave, dire, or dangerous.
Sentence Examples
This is a grievous mistake.
The family suffered a grievous loss in the accident.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The judge called the crime ____ because it caused serious harm.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The knight suffered a ____ wound during the intense battle and had to be carried away from the field.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English grevous, from Anglo-Norman grevous, from Old French grever, from Latin gravō (“to burden”). Developed in the 13th century. Equivalent to grief + -ous.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"No wonder that the old man's eye dwelt upon her with mingled pride and tenderness; yet was it a face that might cause affection many an anxious hour, for there was mind in the lofty and clear forehead, heart in the warm and flushed cheek,—and what are mind and heart to woman, but fairy gifts, for whose possession a grievous price will be exacted."
— 1837, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], “Age and Youth”, in Ethel Churchill: Or, The Two Brides. […], volume I, London: Henry Colburn, […], →OCLC, page 14:
"Heavy rain had so undermined the approach to the bridge at Mountnessing as to make it unsafe, and although Chelmsford and Colchester had decked themselves with flags and bunting, the train returned to London "with grievous disappointment to all.""
— 1943 May and June, “Notes and News: Centenary of Railway to Colchester”, in Railway Magazine, page 176:
"As for the captain, his wounds were grievous indeed, but not dangerous."
— 1881–1882, Robert Louis Stevenson, “How My Sea Adventure Began”, in Treasure Island, London; Paris: Cassell & Company, published 14 November 1883, →OCLC, part V (My Sea Adventure), page 176:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The judge called the crime ____ because it caused serious harm.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The knight suffered a ____ wound during the intense battle and had to be carried away from the field.