Definition and meaning of English word "sadly"
sadly
/ˈsædli/
Meaning
VerbIn a sad manner; sorrowfully.
How to use
The adverb 'sadly' is often used to express regret or disappointment in a situation. It can be used to describe a person's emotional state or to comment on a particular event. For example, 'She sadly lost her job' or 'The concert was sadly cancelled due to bad weather.' One common learner mistake is to use 'sadly' as a synonym for 'unfortunately,' which can change the meaning of the sentence. For instance, 'I sadly forgot my phone' implies that the speaker is sad about forgetting their phone, whereas 'Unfortunately, I forgot my phone' simply states that it was an unfortunate circumstance.
🇬🇧 English
sadly
Example
He sings sadly.
She thinks sadly.
Your personal vocabulary
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Common phrases
- sadly enough— Used to express regret or disappointment.
- sadly to say— Used to express regret or disappointment.
- sadly but— Used to express regret or disappointment, but also to indicate a positive outcome.
- sadly to report— Used to express regret or disappointment, but also to indicate a factual outcome.
- sadly speaking— Used to express regret or disappointment, but also to indicate a personal opinion.
This concept in other languages
Frequency rank: #135 in English
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does the English word "sadly" mean?▼
The English word "sadly" means "sadly" in English.
How do you pronounce the English word "sadly"?▼
You can hear the correct audio pronunciation of the word "sadly" by clicking the play button next to the word at the top of this page.
Can I see an example sentence with "sadly"?▼
Yes, here is a practical example: "Expresses regret." (which translates as "sadly").
More Adverbs & Numbers words
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