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Meaning & use

alas

interjection, adverb, noun·Advancedliteraryold-fashioned

Last updated

UK/əˈlæs/
US/əˈlæs/

Meanings

  1. interjectionliteraryold-fashioned

    Used to show that you feel sad, sorry, or let down about something.

    Grammar: Stands alone as a comment, often at the start of a sentence: Alas, we were too late.

    Patterns

    • Alas, + clause
    • but alas, + clause
    • alas for someone/something

    Alas, the last train had already gone when we reached the station.

    She had hoped to see him once more, but alas, he never came.

    Alas for our picnic — the rain started just as we sat down.

  2. adverbliteraryold-fashioned

    Unfortunately; used to add a note of regret to what you are saying.

    Grammar: Joins two ideas in one sentence, usually after 'but': We tried, but alas, we failed.

    Patterns

    • but alas
    • and alas

    He studied hard for months, but alas, he still did not pass.

    The village is lovely, and alas, very expensive to visit.

  3. noununcountablearchaicliterary

    A word used in the phrase 'poor alas' or similar to mean a sad or sorry situation.

    Grammar: Very rare today; mostly found in old poetry and set phrases.

    Patterns

    • a tale of alas

    The old ballad is full of weeping and alas.

    In those old songs, every parting ends in alas.

Common combinations

alas, no
"Can you come tomorrow?" "Alas, no — I'll be away."
but alas
We searched everywhere, but alas, the ring was gone.
alas for someone
Alas for poor Tom, he lost his ticket.
cry alas
The crowd cried alas when the king fell.
alas and alack
Alas and alack, the money was all spent.

Synonyms and how they differ

unfortunately
This is the everyday choice; 'alas' sounds old and literary and would be odd in normal conversation.
sadly
'Sadly' also marks regret but is common in modern speech, while 'alas' belongs to writing and older styles.
regrettably
'Regrettably' is formal and neutral in tone; 'alas' adds a personal sigh of sorrow.

Opposites

fortunatelyluckily

Word family

alack interjection
An even older cry of sorrow, now found only in poetry.

Commonly confused: alas or alias?

alas vs alias

'Alias' means a false or different name; it sounds similar to 'alas' but has nothing to do with sorrow.

Practice

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