mirthless

Definition

Lacking mirth; devoid of joy; sad.

Etymology

From Middle English myrtheles, equivalent to mirth + -less.

Example Sentences

• "The laughter of man is more terrible than his tears, and takes more forms: hollow, heartless, mirthless, maniacal..."
• "In life, David Lodge was surprisingly mirthless. Luckily, his wife was a hoot [title]"