Dictionary-enhanced plural guide
What is the Plural of “Melancholy”?
This page treats the word as a noun when it has a countable noun use.
Singular and Plural Form of Melancholy
Melancholy is the singular noun form. Melancholies is the plural form.
Dictionary meaning: A sad and thoughtful feeling, often mixed with quiet understanding or a sense of loss.
Why is the Plural of Melancholy “melancholies”?
The Regular Plural Rule for Melancholy
When a word ends in consonant + y, change the y to -ies. Example: melancholy → melancholies
How to Remember the Plural of Melancholy
Just add -s to “melancholy” to make “melancholies”. Most English nouns follow this pattern.
A common slip-up: Some speakers stress the second syllable (muh-LAN-kuh-lee); others pronounce the first vowel as /ɪ/ instead of /e/..
Singular vs Plural Examples with Melancholy
See melancholy and melancholies used in real sentences side by side.
- She gazed out the window with a melancholy expression, lost in memories. B1
- The melancholy autumn landscape evoked feelings of transience and change. B2
- His late works were characterized by a profound melancholy that revealed spiritual introspection. C1
How to Pronounce Melancholy and Melancholies
Stress first syllable: MEL-un-kol-ee. British: /ˈmelənkəli/ (more like MEL-un-kuh-lee).
Origin and Etymology of Melancholy
From Greek mélaina chóle (black bile), one of four humours in ancient medicine believed to cause sadness.
Cultural note: Romantic literature associates melancholy with artistic sensitivity. Implies depth rather than weakness or disease.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Plural of Melancholy
What is the plural of “melancholy”?
The plural of “melancholy” is “melancholies”.
Is “melancholies” regular or irregular?
This page classifies it as regular based on the available plural data.