DictionaryAI

forlorn

fur-LORN/fɚˈlɔɹn/UKfuh-LAWN/fəˈlɔːn/

4 meanings of forlorn

Practice

  1. 1
    sad and lonelyadjective
    Very sad and lonely, often because you feel that others have left you alone.

    A forlorn little dog sat in the rain outside the shelter.

    She looked forlorn standing by herself at the bus stop after the party.

    Similardejected, despondent, downcast, disconsolate, lonesome

    Oppositecheerful, happy

    Note
  2. 2
    desertedadjective
    Left behind or left alone by others.

    A forlorn old car sat rusting in the middle of the field.

    The village looked forlorn after most of the families moved to the city.

    Similarabandoned, deserted, forsaken, desolate, derelict

    Note
  3. 3
    hopelessadjective
    Not likely to work or succeed.

    Everyone knew it was a forlorn effort to save the old mill.

    They held on to the forlorn hope that their cat would come home.

    UsageOften in a forlorn hope.

    Similardesperate

    Oppositepromising

    Note

Less common meaning

  1. 4
    nounarchaiccountable
    A group of soldiers sent first into a very dangerous attack, or one of those soldiers.
    The garrison, taken by surprise, had the first intelligence of the assault in the "forlorns plunging into the canal."
    1861, Evert A[ugustus] Duyckinck, “Henry Lee”Here, forlorns means soldiers sent first into a very dangerous attack.
    Note

Practice

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Origin

From Old English forloren, meaning "lost", from a verb meaning "to lose".

Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 3 facts