interjection
alack
uh-LAK
interjection
1
An old-fashioned exclamation expressing sorrow, regret, or dismay.
""Alack, the poor fellow never stood a chance," the narrator sighed."
How to Use Alack
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA dramatic, old-fashioned way of saying "oh no" or "how sad" — mostly seen in older literature or deliberately archaic writing today.
When to use it
Archaic; used today only for humorous or theatrical effect, often paired with "alas."
Common pairings
alack the day
alas and alack
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"_____, the poor fellow never stood a chance," the narrator sighed.
Etymology
From Middle English alacke, likely a blend of "ah" and "lack" (in the old sense of "loss" or "failure").