i Register
In some senses, sadly is marked as dated, obsolete. Watch for register when choosing this word.
sadly
/ˈsædli/
adv 5
Collocations
5ADJ.
alive, big, cooked, diminished, many, smiling
VERB + SADLY
answered, batten, bought, looked, orders, said, sighed, smiled
SADLY + NOUN
aunt, cat, friend, it's, japanese, people, tom, world
PREP.
out
ADV.
once
Definitions
adv
1
In a sad manner; sorrowfully.
“Only when we climb up can we see it,” he said sadly.
2
Unfortunately, sad to say.
If you think you’re getting out of this place alive, you are sadly mistaken, my friend.
Sadly, the two were never to meet again.
3
In a manner to cause sadness; badly; terribly.
The people of Ebeltoft were once sadly plagued by them, as they plundered their pantries in a most unconscionable manner; so they consulted a very wise and pious man and his advice was, that they should hang a bell in the steeple of the church.
4
Very much (of a desire etc.); dearly; urgently.
"Don't ask me: don't make me talk of it," she answered. "I'm not fit now. I have been cruelly used and cruelly wronged. You will be kinder than ever, if you will walk on fast, and not speak to me. I sadly want to quiet myself, if I can."
5
Deeply, completely.
By my feythe sayd syre launcelot in that pauelione wil I lodge alle this nyghte / and soo there he alyghte doune and tayed his hors to the pauelione / and there he vnarmed hym / and there he fond a bedde / and layd hym theryn / and felle on slepe sadly
Thesaurus
Synonyms
adverb — in an unfortunate way
adverb — in an unfortunate or deplorable manner
- deplorably
- lamentably
- woefully
Antonyms
Idioms & Phrases
Example Bank
601
“Only when we climb up can we see it,” he said sadly.
Wiktionary02
If you think you’re getting out of this place alive, you are sadly mistaken, my friend.
Wiktionary03
Sadly, the two were never to meet again.
Wiktionary04
Sadly many people will believe things told to them via an email which they would find implausible face-to-face.
Tatoeba · #207005
"He used to love me," she answered sadly.
Tatoeba · #2833206
Even the most graceful and imposing existing buildings may now be so sadly diminished as to seem slightly ridiculous beside the monster.
Tatoeba · #36687Usage Notes
Your note
not saved0 chars