DictionaryAI

sadly

adverb
SAD-lee/ˈsædli/

5 meanings of sadly

Practice

  1. 1
    adverb
    Used to show that something is true but makes you feel sad or sorry.

    Sadly, the old theater closed for good last year.

    We waited all afternoon, but sadly no one ever showed up.

    Similarunfortunately, regrettably, unhappily

    Oppositefortunately, happily, luckily, thankfully

    Note
  2. 2
    adverb
    In a way that shows you feel sad.

    She smiled sadly as the train pulled out of the station.

    He shook his head sadly when he heard the score.

    Similarsorrowfully, mournfully, unhappily, wistfully, forlornly

    Oppositehappily, cheerfully, joyfully

  3. 3
    adverb
    In a way that is bad or wrong enough to make people sad.

    The flood defenses were sadly inadequate when the river rose.

    Their preparations turned out to be sadly lacking on the day.

    Similarbadly, woefully, sorely, seriously, lamentably

    Note

Less common meanings

  1. 4
    adverbdated
    Very much, said of how strongly someone wants or needs something.

    Similarbadly, sorely, desperately, greatly

    Note
  2. 5
    adverbobsolete
    In a deep or complete way.
    Note

Use it in a sentence

Write your own sentence with sadly, and AI will tell you whether it fits and which meaning you used.

Origin

From Middle English sadly. It comes from sad plus -ly.