alas

alas — exclamation

1. a literary or formal word people say or write to show they feel sorry about some

1.exclamationC1
Definition

a literary or formal word people say or write to show they feel sorry about something, often when nothing can be done to fix it.

Example

Alas, the old library on Maple Street closed its doors for the last time on Friday.

sentence-initial: Alas, + clause stating an unwelcome fact

Mrs. Park hoped to see her grandson before winter, but, alas, the flight was cancelled again.

mid-sentence: , but, alas, + clause showing dashed hope

Common collocations
  • alas, no
  • but alas
  • and alas
  • alas, too late
Synonyms
  • unfortunately

    neutral and far more common in modern speech and writing

  • sadly

    everyday word for the same idea, fits both speech and writing

  • regrettably

    formal, often in business or official contexts

Antonyms
  • happily

    introduces good news instead of bad

  • fortunately

    marks a lucky or welcome turn of events

Grammar Patterns

Alas, + clause

Alas!

Usage Note

Mainly literary or written; sounds old-fashioned in everyday speech. Often opens a sentence and is followed by a comma and the disappointing fact.

Common Mistakes

Alas, I won the prize!
Alas, I missed the prize by one point.
alas only fits sad or disappointing news, never happy news.
I alas forgot my keys.
Alas, I forgot my keys.
alas sits at the start of the sentence or stands alone, not in the middle as a normal adverb.

2. a strong cry used in older books, plays, or poems to show deep grief, especially

2.exclamationC2
Definition

a strong cry used in older books, plays, or poems to show deep grief, especially over a loss, a death, or a hopeless fate.

Example

Alas! The brave young soldier would never see his village again.

literary: Alas! + clause about loss or death

Alas for the kingdom, its wise old queen had passed away during the long winter.

pattern: Alas for + noun phrase + clause

Common collocations
  • alas for
  • alas, poor
  • alas and alack
Synonyms
  • woe

    archaic noun-style cry, as in 'woe is me'

  • tragically

    modern formal adverb for events involving death or great loss

Antonyms
  • hurrah

    old-fashioned cry of joy, opposite mood

Grammar Patterns

Alas!

Alas for + noun phrase

Usage Note

Distinguish from sense 1: this stronger use appears almost only in poetry, drama, or storytelling about death and tragedy. Modern writers usually pick a plainer word like 'tragically'.

Common Mistakes

Alas! I dropped my pencil.
Oh no, I dropped my pencil.
sense 2 fits a deep loss, not a small everyday problem.
Alas the king his crown was lost.
Alas for the king, his crown was lost.
when adding the person grieved over, use 'Alas for + noun'.

Word family

  • alack
    exclamationC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: exclamation/1

All four words flag bad news, but they sit at different points on the formality scale. 'Sadly' is the everyday choice and works in conversation and writing alike: 'Sadly, the trip was cancelled.' 'Unfortunately' is neutral and slightly more formal, common in news reports and emails. 'Regrettably' is firmly formal, often used by companies or officials to soften an unwelcome decision: 'Regrettably, your application was not successful.' 'Alas' stands apart — it carries a literary, somewhat old-fashioned tone and is now mostly used in writing, jokes, or stylised speech. A modern reader who sees 'Alas, the kettle is broken' will sense a touch of self-aware drama that 'sadly' or 'unfortunately' would not give.

alas ↗unfortunately ↗sadly ↗regrettably

Common collocations

Phrases

  • but alas
  • and alas
  • alas, no
  • alas, poor
  • alas and alack

Prepositions

  • alas for

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchMiddle EnglishEnglish

Alas entered English in the early 1300s from Old French 'a las' or 'ha las', meaning roughly 'ah, weary one'. The 'las' part traces back to Latin 'lassus', meaning tired or worn out. Originally a heartfelt cry of grief in poetry and prayer, it slowly drifted toward a milder, more literary 'unfortunately' as the centuries passed.