Modifies a noun

• cry: There is often a plaintive cry going up for " has anyone got any scissors?

• plea: A plaintive plea for a return to the old days of rather looser money?

• melody: The second movement is a based on a slow, plaintive melody in 5/4 time.

• vocal: These tracks are full of stark piano, atmospheric synths and plaintive vocals.

• tone: Frankie Machine's plaintive acoustic tone avoids Kings of Convenience dreariness with some taut arrangements, laconic melodies and sudden, potent lyrics.

• voice: Willow's plaintive voice followed her: " Dawn!

Modifying Another Word

• very: And the bit with the carol singers is very plaintive.

• almost: He gave me a quizzical, almost plaintive look.

• somewhat: That night was pretty bad, no sleep from three o'clock, therefore somewhat plaintive in the morning.

Used with adjective complement

• become: Posted 2 years ago on April 25 2005 An update on the boiler... Its noises have become much more plaintive of late.