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Literature Glossary

Don’t be an oxymoron. Know your literary terms.

Over 200 literary terms, Shmooped to perfection.

Lament

Definition:

A lament is an expression of grief, usually in the form of a song or a poem.

For example, in Guys and Dolls, when Adelaide bemoans her lack of a husband, that's a lament. (Fitting then, that the tune is called "Adelaide's Lament," don't you think?)

In the mood for a more classic—and way older—example of a lament? Check out "Deor," an Old English heroic poem.

It's a total downer. You're welcome.