regretfully

regretfully — adverb

1. showing sadness, disappointment, or apology for something that has happened or m

1.adverbB2
Definition

showing sadness, disappointment, or apology for something that has happened or must be done

Example

Sirin shook her head regretfully when she heard that the trip was cancelled.

collocation: shake one's head + regretfully

The old fisherman spoke regretfully about the years he spent away from his family.

Common collocations
  • shake one's head regretfully
  • speak regretfully about / of
  • sigh regretfully
  • regretfully accept
  • regretfully decline
  • smile regretfully
  • look at someone / something regretfully
Synonyms
  • sadly

    more general and less formal; covers any cause of sadness

  • ruefully

    suggests wry amusement at one's own mistakes; more specific in meaning

  • sorrowfully

    implies deeper emotional pain; more literary and formal

Grammar Patterns

verb + regretfully

regretfully + verb

Usage Note

Typically appears directly after the main verb or after the subject — e.g., 'She regretfully agreed.' Unlike the sentence-adverb use (which opens a clause), this sense describes the manner of an action.

Common Mistakes

Regretfully, the concert was cancelled due to rain.
Regrettably, the concert was cancelled due to rain.
'Regretfully' describes how someone acts; 'regrettably' describes an unfortunate situation.

Word family

  • regret
    verbB1
  • regret
    nounB1
  • regretful
    adjectiveB2
  • regrettable
    adjectiveB2
  • regrettably
    adverbB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/1

Sadly is the most common and general option — it covers any situation that causes sadness, from mild disappointment to deep grief, and works in both formal and informal contexts. Ruefully adds a layer of wry, self-aware regret, often about one's own mistakes or misfortunes. Sorrowfully is more literary and formal, conveying a heavier, more emotional tone of grief. Mournfully suggests a sombre, grief-stricken quality, often tied to loss or death. Use regretfully when you want to emphasise personal regret or apology as part of the manner of an action: 'He regretfully declined the invitation' — here sadly would work but sounds less courteous, while ruefully would suggest ironic self-criticism that does not fit the situation.

sadly ↗ruefullysorrowfullymournfully

Common collocations

Phrases

  • with regret
  • much to one's regret

Prepositions

Etymology

Old FrenchMiddle EnglishEnglish

Formed from regret (borrowed from Old French regretter, meaning 'to lament') plus the suffix -ful ('full of') and the adverbial suffix -ly. The word has been used in English since the 1500s to describe actions done with a feeling of sorrow.