lugubrious
adjective

- looking or sounding sad or dismal

(Oxford Dictionary)

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When you listen to the sound of some words, you can sometimes instinctively understand what it means without really knowing the definition. Lugubrious is a good example of this phenomenon. When pronounced, it has a mournful and sad tone. And that's exactly what lugubrious means.

It stems from the Latin verb lūgēre, "to mourn," and is often used in literature, as well as to describe various things in art and culture: Structured in five continuous movements, the concerto begins with a hushed, almost lugubrious yet intense chorale-like theme in the low register of the piano. (New York Times)

Lugubrious is also a great word to use to describe a sombre atmosphere or environment: The morning after dawned wet and gray and lugubrious here. (Seattle Times)

And of course people can also be lugubrious, as this terrific sample sentence from lexicographer Bergen Evans shows:

He kept the dead dog's collar on his desk -- a lugubrious reminder of his departed friend.

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SYNONYMS

bereft, despondent, dismal, doleful, forlorn, gloomy, glum, lamentable, melancholy, mournful, sad, sorrowful

... not to end on a sad NOTE, cheer up with some ANTONYMS:

bright, cheerful, cheery, cheery, chipper, comforting, cordial, festive, friendly, gay, gladsome, heartwarming, lightsome, sunshiny, lightsome, sunny, upbeat

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Practice OWAD in a conversation:

"I enjoyed the movie, even though the ending was somewhat LAGUBRIOUS."