Grief is a natural response to loss. It’s the emotional suffering you feel when something or someone you love is taken away. The more significant the loss, the more intense the grief will be. You may associate grief with the death of a loved one—which is often the cause of the most intense type of grief—but any loss can cause grief.

The more significant the loss, the more intense the grief. However, even subtle losses can lead to grief. For example, you might experience grief after moving away from home, graduating from college, changing jobs, selling your family home, or retiring from a career you loved.

Sadness is an emotion that is the opposite of happiness.

Grief usually refers to a deep sadness caused by loss.

Depression is a clinical condition, one symptom of which may (but need not) be a mood characterized by sadness.  (Alternatively, depression may involve a mood characterized by anhedonia).

What is the difference between sadness, grief and depression? Sadness is considered a normal, healthy emotional reaction to minor losses and disappointments. ... Normal, minor bouts of sadness don't knock you off your feet. Grief is a much more intense and sometimes devastating human experience.