Synonyms

sadly

American

[sad-lee] / ˈsæd li /

adverb

in an unhappy, sorrowful, or regretful way; unfortunately; regrettably.

Gun tracing is an attempt to answer the sadly common question of where the gun used in a crime came from.
Sadly, the tourism and money brought in by the World Cup games won't benefit the people who need it most.

Usage

What does sadly mean? Sadly means in an unhappy, sorrowful, or regretful way, as in Whenever my dog looks at me sadly, I can’t help but cuddle him. Sadly is frequently used to mean unfortunately, as in Sadly, he could not make the game today. This usage often gives a more emotional or sympathetic tone to a statement. It’s often used for disappointments, excuses, reports of loss, and any other scenario where something could be upsetting to the listener or reader. Example: We report sadly that we were unable to reach our financial goals this quarter.

Etymology

Origin of sadly

sad ( def. ) + -ly

Explanation

When something is done sadly, it happens in a downhearted, unhappy way. You can speak sadly, hang your head sadly, or even smile sadly to convey how melancholy you're truly feeling. Sad means unhappy or sorrowful, so if the adverb sadly describes someone's actions, they're feeling down in the dumps. The Old English root of both words originally meant "full or sated with food," and later came to describe a heaviness that remains in the word sadly. It's also used to mean "unfortunately" or "it is a sad fact that," so you might say, "Sadly, chess club is canceled for the foreseeable future."

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Sadly, his background vocal is mixed low and seems like an afterthought, but it’s an affecting song nonetheless, conjuring images of truck stops and roadside juke joints.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 5, 2026

Sadly, her half-brother Poly had been left behind, and while her mother wrote to him daily, his fate is ultimately a tragic one.

From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026

Sadly, I’m afraid that’s the perfect metaphor for our time.

From Salon • Apr. 28, 2026

Sadly, but not surprisingly, Maryland is not alone.

From Slate • Mar. 30, 2026

Sadly, Stanton died before he could join the court.

From "Chasing Lincoln's Killer" by James L. Swanson

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023