sad
SAD
Sad (adj) means feeling sorrow or unhappiness. Example: “He felt sad when the summer holidays came to an end.”
adj
1
Feeling sorrow or unhappiness.
"He felt sad when the summer holidays came to an end."
"She felt sad after saying goodbye to her old friends."
"He looked sad all through dinner."
2
Causing sorrow; regrettable.
"It is sad that the old cinema in our town has closed."
"The news about the shelter closing was sad for everyone who volunteered there."
"It was a sad story about a family torn apart by war."
3
Informal: pathetic or of poor quality.
"Honestly, that was a sad performance from a team with so much talent."
"Our school canteen served a sad little salad with three limp leaves."
"That excuse was a pretty sad attempt to avoid blame."
How to use sad
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishFeeling or causing unhappiness.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
feel sad
a sad story
sad news
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- sads
- Past tense
- sadded
- Comparative
- sadder, more sad
- Superlative
- saddest, most sad
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He felt _____ when the summer holidays came to an end.
Etymology
From Old English sæd, originally meaning "full" or "sated" — the modern sense of unhappiness developed later, via a stage meaning "serious" or "grave."
Synonyms
View more →
unhappy
atrabiliary
atrabilious
blitheless
dispirited
blue
bummed out
chapfallen
cheerless
chopfallen
crestfallen
cut up
Antonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “sad” mean?
The word “sad” means feeling sorrow or unhappiness. In plain terms, feeling or causing unhappiness.
How do you pronounce “sad”?
“Sad” is pronounced SAD (/ˈsæd/ in IPA).
How do you use “sad” in a sentence?
Here is “sad” used in a sentence: “She felt sad after saying goodbye to her old friends.”
What is another word for “sad”?
Words with a similar meaning to “sad” include atrabiliary, atrabilious, blitheless, dispirited, blue and bummed out.
What is the opposite of “sad”?
The opposite of “sad” — its antonyms — are blissed out, blissful, cock-a-hoop, content and delighted.
What part of speech is “sad”?
“Sad” is an adjective.
Where does the word “sad” come from?
The word “sad” comes from Old English. From Old English sæd, originally meaning "full" or "sated" — the modern sense of unhappiness developed later, via a stage meaning "serious" or "grave.".
Is “sad” a common word?
“Sad” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
What is the difference between 'sad' and 'depressed'?
Sadness is a normal, usually temporary emotion, a natural response to loss or disappointment that lifts with time. Depression is a persistent medical condition, lasting weeks or longer, that affects sleep, energy, and interest in life. Feeling sad is part of being human; depression usually needs proper support or treatment.
What is the opposite of 'sad'?
The main opposites are 'happy', 'glad', and 'joyful', all describing a positive, contented mood. 'Cheerful' and 'upbeat' work when you mean a lively, bright disposition. Which fits best depends on whether you mean a deep sense of joy or simply a light, good-humored frame of mind.
What are stronger words for 'sad'?
When plain 'sad' feels too mild, stronger choices include 'heartbroken', 'miserable', 'devastated', and 'grief-stricken' for deep sorrow. 'Down', 'blue', and 'glum' suggest a lighter, passing low mood. Picking the right word depends on how intense the unhappiness is and how long it is likely to last.
What is the difference between 'sad' and 'unhappy'?
The two are close and often interchangeable. 'Sad' points to an active feeling of sorrow, often tied to a specific cause like bad news. 'Unhappy' describes a broader state of dissatisfaction that can simmer quietly; you can be generally unhappy with a job without feeling acutely sad at any single moment.
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