ɡɹiːf ɹɪˈɡɹɛt ˈsædnəs ˈsɒɹəʊ ˈsɑɹoʊ ˈsɔɹoʊ ˈsɒɹəʊ ˈsɑɹoʊ ˈsɔɹoʊ feel grief something that causes great unhappiness her death was a great grief to John an emotion of great sadness associated with loss or bereavement he tried to express his sorrow at her loss sadness associated with some wrong done or some disappointment he drank to drown his sorrows he wrote a note expressing his regret to his rue, the error cost him the game the state of being sad she tired of his perpetual sadness