Basic Details
Word: Grievous
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Very serious or severe; causing great sadness or pain.
Synonyms: Serious, severe, dire, atrocious
Antonyms: Minor, trivial, light, insignificant
Idioms and Phrases
- Grievous error: A very serious mistake. Example: "Missing the deadline was a grievous error that affected the whole project."
- Grievous wounds: Injuries that cause great pain or suffering. Example: "The knight returned from battle with grievous wounds and needed immediate care."
Usage Examples
Example 1: The loss of their beloved pet was a grievous moment for the family.
Example 2: The news about the tragic accident left a grievous impact on the entire community.
Example 3: It's grievous to think of the suffering caused by natural disasters.
Fun Fact
The word "grievous" comes from the Old French word "grievous", which is derived from the Latin "gravis", meaning heavy. This shows how the word is associated with something that weighs heavily on the heart or mind.
Famous Quote
"The greatest griefs are those we cause ourselves." - Sophocles
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "grievous" mean?
a) Very funny
b) Very serious
c) Very small
d) Very colourful
Answer: b) Very serious
2. Which of these is a synonym of "grievous"?
a) Severe
b) Simple
c) Happy
d) Minor
Answer: a) Severe
3. Which word is an antonym of "grievous"?
a) Dire
b) Trivial
c) Atrocious
d) Serious
Answer: b) Trivial
4. Which sentence uses "grievous" correctly?
a) She made a grievous mistake in her homework.
b) The sun was grievous and bright.
c) He climbed the grievous mountain effortlessly.
d) The cake was grievous and delicious.
Answer: a) She made a grievous mistake in her homework.
5. Which idiom refers to a very serious mistake?
a) Grievous wounds
b) Grievous error
c) Jumping to conclusions
d) At a loss for words
Answer: b) Grievous error
