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noun B1 Intermediate Common

sadness

SAD-nuhs

Sadness (noun) means the state of feeling sad; sorrow. Example: “A deep sadness settled over the house after the funeral.”

noun
1
The state of feeling sad; sorrow.
"A deep sadness settled over the house after the funeral."
"She couldn't hide her sadness at the news."

How to use sadness

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe feeling of being sad.

Common pairings
overwhelming sadness a sense of sadness

Word forms

sadnesses plural

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A deep _____ settled over the house after the funeral.

Etymology

From sad + the noun-forming suffix -ness.

Related words

Rhymes for sadness

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Frequently asked questions

What does “sadness” mean?

The word “sadness” means the state of feeling sad; sorrow. In plain terms, the feeling of being sad.

How do you pronounce “sadness”?

“Sadness” is pronounced SAD-nuhs (/ˈsædnəs/ in IPA).

How do you use “sadness” in a sentence?

Here is “sadness” used in a sentence: “A deep sadness settled over the house after the funeral.”

What is another word for “sadness”?

Words with a similar meaning to “sadness” include blueness, tristesse, mirthless, blues, crestfallenness and dejection.

What is the opposite of “sadness”?

The opposite of “sadness” — its antonyms — is happiness.

What part of speech is “sadness”?

“Sadness” is a noun.

Is “sadness” a common word?

“Sadness” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

What is the difference between sadness and depression?

Sadness is a normal, usually temporary emotion felt in response to a specific event or loss. Depression is a lasting mental-health condition that can persist without an obvious cause and typically affects sleep, energy, and daily functioning.

What is the difference between sadness and grief?

Sadness is a general feeling of sorrow that can arise from many causes. Grief is a deeper, more prolonged sadness specifically brought on by loss, most often the death of someone close.

What is the opposite of sadness?

The most direct opposites of sadness are happiness and joy. Related antonyms include gladness, cheerfulness, and contentment.

Is sadness an emotion or a mood?

Sadness can be both. As an emotion it is a short-lived reaction to a particular trigger, while as a mood it can be a longer, more diffuse state of feeling low without a single clear cause.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial