Definition of forlorn

< Forlì

forlorn hope >

for·lorn    (fr-lôrn, fôr-) KEY 

ADJECTIVE:

1. 1. Appearing sad or lonely because deserted or abandoned.
   2. Forsaken or deprived: forlorn of all hope.
2. Wretched or pitiful in appearance or condition: forlorn roadside shacks.
3. Nearly hopeless; desperate. See Synonyms at despondent.

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ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English forloren, past participle of forlesen, to abandon, from Old English forlosan; see leu- in Indo-European roots

OTHER FORMS:
for·lornly(Adverb), for·lornness(Noun)