adj.
Variant: also wo · ful
Pronunciation: ' w ō -f ə l
Function: adjective
Date: 14th century
1 : full of woe : GRIEVOUS < woeful prophecies>
2 : involving or bringing woe
3 : lamentably bad or serious : DEPLORABLE < woeful ignorance>
– woe · ful · ly \ -f( ə -)l ē \ adverb
– woe · ful · ness \ -f ə l-n ə s \ noun