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Meaning & use

sadly

adverb·Everyday

Last updated

UK/ˈsædli/
US/ˈsædli/

Meanings

  1. adverbnot comparable

    In a way that shows unhappiness or sorrow.

    Grammar: Describes how someone does something: she smiled sadly.

    Patterns

    • say/smile/shake your head sadly

    He looked sadly at the empty chair.

    She smiled sadly and waved goodbye.

    The old man shook his head sadly.

  2. adverbnot comparable

    Used to show that you regret what you are about to say, which is unfortunate.

    Grammar: Comes at the start of a sentence as a comment on the whole statement.

    Patterns

    • Sadly, ...

    Sadly, the shop closed last month.

    The team, sadly, lost the final.

    Sadly, we cannot accept your offer.

  3. adverbnot comparableformal

    To a regrettable degree or in a way that is sorry and lacking.

    Grammar: Used before an adjective or participle, as in sadly mistaken.

    Patterns

    • sadly lacking
    • sadly mistaken

    The report is sadly lacking in detail.

    If you think that, you are sadly mistaken.

    The old bridge is sadly neglected.

Word forms

comparativemore sadly
superlativemost sadly

Common combinations

sadly missed
Dad was sadly missed at the family party.
sadly mistaken
If you expect an easy test, you are sadly mistaken.
smile sadly
She smiled sadly at the old photographs.
sadly lacking
The service was sadly lacking.
shake head sadly
The doctor shook his head sadly.

Synonyms and how they differ

unfortunately
Unfortunately focuses on bad luck or bad results, whereas sadly adds a feeling of sorrow.
regrettably
Regrettably is more formal and often used in official letters, while sadly is warmer.
mournfully
Mournfully describes a way of acting full of grief and does not work as a comment on a fact.
unhappily
Unhappily can describe a mood or be used as a comment, but it sounds a little old-fashioned beside sadly.

Opposites

happilyfortunately

Word family

sad adjective
unhappy or sorrowful
sadness noun
the feeling of being sad
sadden verb
to make someone sad
saddened adjective
made sad by something
saddening adjective
causing sadness

Commonly confused: sadly or sadistically?

sadly vs sadistically

Sadistically means in a cruel way, taking pleasure in pain, and has nothing to do with sorrow.

Practice

___, the festival has been cancelled because of the storm.

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