French word

morne

Pronunciation

IPA/mɔʁn/

Meaning

  • adjectivegloomy

Example

La journée est morne.

The day is gloomy.

Illustration for morne (gloomy)

More examples

Son visage était morne après la nouvelle.

His face was somber after the news.

Core concept

A gray, still scene with little light or cheer.

Common phrases

  • visage morne

    somber face

  • humeur morne

    melancholy mood

Similar words

triste: Feeling sad or lonely and weighed down emotionally.
maussade: Having a gloomy expression or a visibly bad-tempered manner.
sombre: Marked by dark, heavy colors or a somber atmosphere.
déprimé: In a profound state of low mood with little energy.

Definition in French

Qui est sombre et sans gaieté, donnant l'impression d'une tristesse calme ou d'une atmosphère monotone.

Word origin

French morne continues Old French morne, which described something sad or gloomy; its deeper etymology is uncertain.

Usage tips

  • Morne is more literary and atmospheric than everyday triste, so it often describes a day, landscape, or mood in written French.

Other meanings

  • melancholyadjective

Opposites

Word lists with this word