Meaning & use
keening
Last updated
A loud, wailing lament for the dead, traditionally associated with Irish and Scottish mourning customs.
See it in a sentence
The keening of mourners could be heard throughout the village after the chief's death.
Her keening cry pierced the silence of the funeral hall.
A note on using this word
Can also be used as a verb ('to keen'); it evokes a specific, ritualized style of mourning rather than ordinary crying.
Words with a similar meaning
wailinglamenting
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “keening”, then compare your use with the examples above.
Your draft stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.