ˈmelənkəli ˈmɛl.ənˌkɑl.i ˈmelənkəli ˈmɛl.ənˌkɑl.i ˈsɑmbɚ ˈsɒmbə ˈsɒmbə ˈsɑmbɚ grave or even gloomy in character a suit of somber black a somber mood characterized by or causing or expressing sadness growing more melancholy every hour her melancholic smile we acquainted him with the melancholy truth a humor that was once believed to be secreted by the kidneys or spleen and to cause sadness and melancholy a feeling of thoughtful sadness a constitutional tendency to be gloomy and depressed