Cheerlessness

/ˈtʃɪrləsnəs/ noun

Definition

The quality or state of being cheerless; the absence of cheer, brightness, or hope.

Etymology

From 'cheerless' plus the noun-forming suffix '-ness.' This noun describes the abstract quality of lacking cheer, using a double suffix pattern (-less + -ness).

Kelly Says

Double suffixes like 'cheerless-ness' are common in English—we take an adjective, add '-less' to negate it, then add '-ness' to make it a noun, creating layers of meaning from simple building blocks.

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