adv
regretfully
Regretfully (adv) means In a way that shows regret. Example: “She regretfully declined the invitation.”
adv
1
In a way that shows regret.
"She regretfully declined the invitation."
2
Unfortunately — used to introduce a whole sentence.
"Regretfully, the event has been cancelled due to low ticket sales."
How to use regretfully
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishWith a feeling of regret, or (as a sentence-starter) "unfortunately."
Common mistake
Careful writers keep "regretfully" (how someone feels) separate from "regrettably" (a fact that is unfortunate) — "He regretfully missed the flight" vs "Regrettably, the flight was cancelled."
Easily confused with
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more regretfully
- Superlative
- most regretfully
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She _____ declined the invitation.
Related words
Rhymes for regretfully
See all rhymes for regretfully →Frequently asked questions
What does “regretfully” mean?
The word “regretfully” means in a way that shows regret. In plain terms, with a feeling of regret, or (as a sentence-starter) "unfortunately.".
How do you use “regretfully” in a sentence?
Here is “regretfully” used in a sentence: “She regretfully declined the invitation.”
What part of speech is “regretfully”?
“Regretfully” is an adverb.
How many meanings does “regretfully” have?
“Regretfully” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: in a way that shows regret.
