Pity Meaning
/ˈpɪt.i/Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounA feeling of sympathy at the misfortune or suffering of someone or something.
nounFeeling of contempt one has for someone who is hopelessly inferior.
Sentence Examples
It's a pity when somebody dies.
It's a pity that you can't buy miracles like you would buy potatoes.
It's a pity that you can't stay longer.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
The old man's story filled the children with great ____ for his suffering.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
She felt deep ____ for the homeless man sitting in the rain with no shelter or food.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English pitye, pitie, pittye, pitee, pite, from Anglo-Norman pité, pittee etc., from Old French pitet, pitié, from Latin pietās. See also the doublets pietà and piety.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord."
— 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Proverbs 19:17:
"He[…]has no more pity in him than a dog."
— c. 1590–1591 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Two Gentlemen of Verona”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene iii]:
"Shepard: The Reapers are more advanced than we are. More powerful. More intelligent. They don't fear us, and they'll never take pity on us."
— 2012, BioWare, Mass Effect 3 (Science Fiction), Redwood City: Electronic Arts, →OCLC, PC, scene: Prologue: Earth:
"It was a thousand pities."
— 1759–1767, [Laurence Sterne], The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman, volume (please specify |volume=I to IX), London: […] T. Becket and P. A. Dehondt, […]:
"What pity is it / That we can die but once to serve our country!"
— 1712 (date written), [Joseph] Addison, Cato, a Tragedy. […], London: […] J[acob] Tonson, […], published 1713, →OCLC, Act IV, scene i, page 53:
Explore More B1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The old man's story filled the children with great ____ for his suffering.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
She felt deep ____ for the homeless man sitting in the rain with no shelter or food.