Blues — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun plural noun /ˈblüz/

Meaning & Definition of Blues

Blues (noun)

  1. low spirits, melancholy
  2. a song often of lamentation characterized by usually 12-bar phrases, 3-line stanzas in which the words of the second line usually repeat those of the first, and continual occurrence of blue notes in melody and harmony
  3. jazz or popular music using harmonic and phrase structures of blues

Blues (plural noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a state or spell of low spirits

    "failing the driving test gave me the blues for the rest of the day"

    similar: blue devils, dejection, depression, desolation, despond, despondence, despondency, disconsolateness, dispiritedness, doldrums, dolefulness, downheartedness, dreariness, dumps, forlornness, gloom, gloominess, glumness, heartsickness, joylessness, melancholy, miserableness, mopes, mournfulness, oppression, sadness, sorrowfulness, unhappiness
    related: melancholia, self-pity, anguish, dolor, grief, mourning, somberness, sorrow, woefulness, agony, distress, pain, misery, woe, wretchedness, discouragement, disheartenment, moodiness, despair, desperation, hopelessness, self-despair, boredom, ennui, tedium, dismalness, drear, morbidness, moroseness, morosity, regret, rue
    opposite: bliss, blissfulness, ecstasy, elatedness, elation, euphoria, exhilaration, exuberance, exultation, felicity, gladness, gladsomeness, happiness, heaven, intoxication, joy, joyfulness, joyousness, jubilation, rapture, rapturousness
    near: gaiety, gayness, glee, gleefulness, humor, jollity, joviality, lightheartedness, merriment, mirth, mirthfulness, cheer, cheerfulness, cheeriness, hopefulness, optimism, sunniness, content, contentedness, contentment, satisfaction, delight, gratification

Related Entry: Blue (noun)

Blue is a different word from Blues. The synonyms below are for blue, not for blues.

  1. the expanse of air surrounding the earth

    "the plane flew off into the blue and was never seen again"

    similar: firmament, heaven(s), high, sky, welkin
    related: midair, horizon, skyline

  2. the whole body of salt water that covers nearly three-fourths of the earth

    "pirate ships that sailed the vasty blue in search of treasure"

    similar: brine, deep, Neptune, ocean, sea, seven seas
    related: blue water, high seas, main, waters, basin, Davy Jones's locker, depths

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Blues

The most common words with a similar meaning to Blues:

blue devils, dejection, depression, desolation, despond, despondence, despondency, disconsolateness, dispiritedness, doldrums, dolefulness, downheartedness, dreariness, dumps, forlornness, gloom, gloominess, glumness, heartsickness, joylessness, melancholy, miserableness, mopes, mournfulness, oppression, sadness, sorrowfulness, unhappiness

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Blues

Words with the opposite meaning of Blues:

bliss, blissfulness, ecstasy, elatedness, elation, euphoria, exhilaration, exuberance, exultation, felicity, gladness, gladsomeness, happiness, heaven, intoxication, joy, joyfulness, joyousness, jubilation, rapture, rapturousness

Related Words for Blues

melancholia, self-pity, anguish, dolor, grief, mourning, somberness, sorrow, woefulness, agony, distress, pain, misery, woe, wretchedness, discouragement, disheartenment, moodiness, despair, desperation, hopelessness, self-despair, boredom, ennui, tedium, dismalness, drear, morbidness, moroseness, morosity

Near Antonyms of Blues

gaiety, gayness, glee, gleefulness, humor, jollity, joviality, lightheartedness, merriment, mirth, mirthfulness, cheer, cheerfulness, cheeriness, hopefulness, optimism, sunniness, content, contentedness, contentment, satisfaction, delight, gratification

Origin & Etymology of Blues

blue devils

First known use: 1741

Words & Phrases Containing Blues

postpartum blues, rhythm and blues, singing the blues, the blues

Frequently Asked Questions about Blues

What does "Blues" mean?

"Blues" means low spirits, melancholy. As an a noun and a plural noun, it is defined as: low spirits, melancholy.

What is another word for "Blues"?

Other words for "Blues" include blue devils, dejection, depression, desolation, despond, despondence, despondency and disconsolateness. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Blues" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Blues"?

There are 60 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Blues". Common alternatives include blue devils, dejection, depression, desolation, despond, despondence, despondency, disconsolateness, dispiritedness and doldrums.

What is the opposite of "Blues"?

Antonyms of "Blues" include bliss, blissfulness, ecstasy, elatedness, elation, euphoria, exhilaration and exuberance. Near antonyms include gaiety, gayness, glee and gleefulness.

How do you use "Blues" in a sentence?

Examples of "Blues" in a sentence: "failing the driving test gave me the blues for the rest of the day".

Is "Blues" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Blues" can be used as a noun and a plural noun, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Blues"?

"Blues" is pronounced /ˈblüz/.

What is the origin of the word "Blues"?

"Blues" comes from blue devils. First known use: 1741.