morose
adjective C2
Plain meaning
unhappy, silent, and unwilling to talk
Exam-register meaning
gloomy, sullen, and emotionally withdrawn
In context
naturalHe became morose after hearing the results.
examThe character’s morose silence signals his alienation from the community.
Common collocations
morose moodmorose silencemorose expression
Watch out
Morose is stronger and more literary than “sad”; it often includes silence or sullenness.
Word family
morosely (adverb)moroseness (noun)