sadly
SAD-lee
Sadly (adv) means In a sorrowful manner. Example: “The little boy sadly waved goodbye as the train pulled away.”
adv
1
In a sorrowful manner.
"“Only when we climb up can we see it,” he said sadly."
"The little boy sadly waved goodbye as the train pulled away."
""I miss her," he said sadly, staring out of the window."
"She looked sadly at the empty chair."
2
Used to introduce an unfortunate fact; regrettably.
"Sadly, we can't come to the party because we are away."
"The team played well but, sadly, they lost the final match."
"Sadly, the museum closed down last year."
How to use sadly
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishIn a sad way, or "unfortunately" when starting a sentence.
Common pairings
sadly, ...
shake one's head sadly
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Word forms
- Comparative
- sadlier, more sadly
- Superlative
- sadliest, most sadly
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The little boy _____ waved goodbye as the train pulled away.
Etymology
From Middle English sadly; equivalent to sad + -ly.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for sadly
See all rhymes for sadly →Frequently asked questions
What does “sadly” mean?
The word “sadly” means in a sorrowful manner. In plain terms, in a sad way, or "unfortunately" when starting a sentence.
How do you pronounce “sadly”?
“Sadly” is pronounced SAD-lee (/ˈsædli/ in IPA).
How do you use “sadly” in a sentence?
Here is “sadly” used in a sentence: “She looked sadly at the empty chair.”
What part of speech is “sadly”?
“Sadly” is an adverb.
Is “sadly” a common word?
“Sadly” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “sadly” have?
“Sadly” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: in a sorrowful manner.
What is the difference between "sadly" and "unfortunately"?
"Sadly" can describe doing something in a sorrowful manner or introduce a regrettable fact, adding emotional colour. "Unfortunately" simply marks something as unlucky or unwelcome without implying personal sorrow, so "sadly" often sounds more emotive.
Can you start a sentence with "sadly"?
Yes, "sadly" can begin a sentence as a sentence adverb, as in "Sadly, the shop has closed." Used this way it introduces an unfortunate fact and comments on the whole statement rather than on a single verb.
What is the difference between "sadly" and "regrettably"?
Both can introduce an unfortunate fact, but "regrettably" is more formal and suggests polite regret, often in writing or official statements. "Sadly" is more everyday and carries a warmer, more emotional tone.
