sadness

American  

[sad-nis] / ˈsæd nɪs /

noun

1. the quality or state of being sad; sorrow.

   It’s frustrating to know the sadness you’re feeling and not be able to help you.

2. an instance of sorrow.

   How can you be so unaware of the sadnesses these children have experienced?

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Etymology

Origin of sadness

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English sadnesse; sad ( def. ) + -ness ( def. )

Explanation

Someone who's blue feels sadness, like a little girl whose best friend has moved away. Use the noun sadness when you're talking about sorrow. Sadness may be the overwhelming mood at a funeral, for example, or an elderly man might describe his life's greatest sadness as letting his childhood sweetheart get away. An interesting thing about sadness is that its original meaning was "seriousness." It wasn't until the 1600s that it came to mean "full of sorrow."

Example Sentences

Haiti's prime minister's office expressed "deep sadness" in a government statement posted on Facebook, adding that the crush occurred during "a tourist activity bringing together many young people."

From Barron's • Apr. 12, 2026

The scene in which Biff almost violently embraces Willy and tries—in vain—to make him discard his illusions scorches with its sadness.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

Kay Aaronicks, 46, told the BBC she was surprised by Amazon's announcement - and by the sadness that came with the thought of potentially losing full use of her 14-year-old Kindle.

From BBC • Apr. 9, 2026

It’s a medicated but functioning limbo that Peet, in one of her best roles, conveys without the slightest trace of pity but with a coursing, wryly emotional intelligence that always reveals the sadness fueling it.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

“I haven’t seen her in decades,” Leigh said with a touch of real sadness.

From "The Way to Rio Luna" by Zoraida Cordova

Related Words

• anguish
• grief
• heartache
• heartbreak
• hopelessness
• melancholy
• misery
• mourning
• poignancy
• sorrow