Pitiable for Dummies

Pitiable is a word that we use to describe something or someone who is deserving of our pity. When we say that something is "pitiable," we mean that it evokes a feeling of sadness or compassion in us because it is unfortunate or in a sorry state. It is like when we see a stray kitten shivering in the cold rain and our heart goes out to it because we wish we could do something to help.

Let me give you an example to help you understand better. Imagine you're watching a movie, and there's a character who has gone through a lot of hardships. Maybe they've lost their family, their home, and everything they held dear. Now, this character is living alone on the streets, struggling to find food and shelter. When you see their situation, and you feel a deep sense of empathy and compassion for them, you would describe their situation as "pitiable."

Pitiable can also describe something that is pathetic or sorry-looking. For instance, think about a broken toy that is all battered and torn, missing a wheel or an arm. It looks so sad and pitiful because it's no longer able to serve its purpose. It's like a puppy without a wagging tail.

So, when we say something or someone is "pitiable," we mean that they elicit a strong feeling of sympathy or compassion within us. It's as if they are in a state that makes us want to reach out and help them, just like we would want to rescue that poor helpless kitten or mend that broken toy.