{ } a. 1. Full of woe; sorrowful; distressed with grief or calamity; afflicted; wretched; unhappy; sad. [ 1913 Webster ]

How many woeful widows left to bow
To sad disgrace! Daniel. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Bringing calamity, distress, or affliction; as, a woeful event; woeful want. [ 1913 Webster ]

O woeful day! O day of woe! Philips. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Wretched; paltry; miserable; poor. [ 1913 Webster ]

What woeful stuff this madrigal would be! Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]