deplorable
/dɪˈplɔːrəbəl/
adjective
Origin
Latin
deplorabilis — lamentable
Overview
Meaning Now
- Deserving strong condemnation; completely unacceptable.
- Shockingly bad in quality; lamentable or wretched.
Literal older meaning
worthy of being wept over
Language path
Latin → Old French → Middle English → English
Earliest form
deplorable
Earliest period
15th century
Journey
The word stems from the Latin root 'plorare', which is also the ancestor of the word 'implore' (to call upon with tears). Throughout the Middle Ages, 'deplorable' retained a strong connection to physical weeping and grief, but by the Victorian era, it had evolved into a tool for moralizing social criticism.
Evolution
- Latin
deplorare
“to weep bitterly, to lament”
Composed of 'de-' (completely) + 'plorare' (to cry/weep).
- Old French
deplorable
“worthy of tears”
- 15th Century English
deplorable
“worthy of lamentation or grief”
Initially used to describe situations causing genuine sorrow.
- 18th Century English
deplorable
“wretched, contemptible, or shockingly bad”
Transitioned from 'sad' to 'deserving of strong moral judgment'.
Connections
Word parts
de-
prefix
thoroughly; completely
plor-
root
to wail, weep, or cry out
-able
suffix
capable of being
Related across languages
French
déplorable
deplorable
Spanish
deplorable
Related words
Explore next
Related to deplorable
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.