Lugubrious comes from the Latin word lūgubris, meaning “mournful” or “gloomy.” In English, it has been used since the early 17th century to describe something that is mournful, dismal, or gloomy, especially in an affected, exaggerated, or unrelieved manner. Lugubriousness can be found in many different contexts, from literature and art to music and film. Today, lugubrious remains a commonly used word in English, and is often associated with sadness, grief, and melancholy.