sad

SAD/sæd/

13 meanings of sad

1
feeling sorrowadjective
Feeling unhappy, or looking unhappy.
Like the heavy feeling you get when something you love is gone.
She felt sad after her best friend moved away.
The whole team was sad to lose the final match.
UsageSay sad about the news or sad to leave.
Similarunhappy, sorrowful, miserable, downcast, glum
Oppositehappy, cheerful, glad, joyful
Note
2
causing sorrowadjective
Making people feel unhappy and bringing them sorrow.
Like a gray, rainy morning that makes everyone feel down.
It was a sad day when the old school finally closed.
They shared the sad news with the rest of the family.
UsageSay it's sad that something happened.
Similartragic, distressing, depressing, regrettable, lamentable
Oppositehappy, cheerful, uplifting, heartwarming
Note
3
poor qualityadjective
Very poor in quality, or so bad that it is almost embarrassing.
Like a toy so broken that it is no fun to play with anymore.
Their team gave a sad performance and lost badly.
The garden was in a sad state after months without care.
UsageA sad excuse for a meal means a very bad meal.
Similarpoor, bad, lousy, inferior, crummy
Oppositedecent
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4
not cooladjectiveslang
Uncool, unfashionable or pathetic, often because of what someone does or likes.
Like being the only kid still using a toy everyone gave up years ago.
Staying home to sort his socks on a Friday night was pretty sad.
They thought it was sad that he still bragged about high school.
UsageSaying you're so sad to someone is rude; it is not about their feelings.
Similarpathetic, lame, uncool, pitiful, tragic
Oppositecool
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Less common meanings

5
shout of disgustinterjectionslanghumorous
Said to show that you feel scorn, dislike, or disgust.
Like rolling your eyes and saying "yeah, right."
Sad! As if anyone believes that story.
You call that a gift? Sad!
UsageSay Sad! on its own, after something silly.
Note
6
dull coloradjective
Describes a color that is dark and dull rather than bright.
Like the dull color of an old, faded photo.
The walls were painted a sad gray that made the room feel cold.
She chose sad, dull colors for the winter coat.
Similardull, dim, dark, dingy, muddy
Oppositebright, vivid, vibrant
Note
7
badly bakedadjectivedialectal
Describes bread or cake that is heavy and wet because it did not rise or bake well.
Like bread that stays wet and squashed instead of soft and fluffy.
The bottom of the pie was sad and wet.
Her cake came out sad in the middle.
Similarsoggy, heavy, stodgy, dense, doughy
Oppositelight, fluffy, airy
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8
make unhappyverbarchaictransitive
To make someone feel unhappy or full of sorrow.
Note
9
adjectiveobsolete
Behaving in a bad, naughty way.
In ſuch places, it would not be doubted, that a grim Daniel Scroggins, and an aproned Sam Smith, might be found—ſad tipſy fellows, both of them, to whoſe ingenuity this or that mechanical improvement had been due.
1860, Isaac Taylor, “Essay III. Modern Advancements and Lay Inventors.”Here, sad means naughty or troublesome.
Similarmischievous, roguish, troublesome
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10
adjectiveobsolete
Heavy, solid and tightly packed, or hard.
Chalky lands are naturally cold and sad.
1707, J[ohn] Mortimer, The Whole Art of HusbandryHere, sad means heavy and dense.
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11
adjectiveobsolete
Serious and calm rather than playful or silly.
Therfore it nedeth that better prouysion. Were founde for youthe by sad and wyse counsayle
1509, Sebastian Brant, The Ship of FoolsHere, sad means serious and grave.
Similarserious, grave, solemn, stern, sober
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12
adjectiveobsolete
Having eaten or had enough, and feeling full or tired.
Note
13
adjectiveobsolete
Brave and not giving up easily.
Note

Practice

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Origins

Meanings 1–4, 6–13

From Old English sæd, meaning "full" or "satisfied." It came from older Germanic words for being sated.

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 3 facts

Sad descends from Old English sæd through Middle English sad. en.wiktionary.org
Old English sæd meant full or satisfied. en.wiktionary.org
Its ancestry includes Germanic words meaning sated. en.wiktionary.org

Meaning 5

From Donald Trump's frequent use of "sad" as an interjection in his tweets, meaning "shameful" or "regrettable."

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 1 fact

The interjection derives from Donald Trump's frequent use of "sad" in his tweets. en.wiktionary.org