alas

¹ American  

[uh-las, uh-lahs] / əˈlæs, əˈlɑs /

interjection

1. (used as an exclamation to express sorrow, grief, pity, concern, or apprehension of evil.)

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Alas. ² American  

abbreviation

1. Alaska.

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alas ¹ British  

/ əˈlæs /

1. unfortunately; regrettably

   there were, alas, none left

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interjection

1. an exclamation of grief, compassion, or alarm

Alas. ² British  

abbreviation

1. Alaska

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Etymology

Origin of alas

1225–75; Middle English < Old French ( h ) a las!, equivalent to ( h ) a ah + las wretched < Latin lassus weary; alack

Example Sentences

The thirst for power has a way of corrupting even the most idealistic hearts, alas.

From Los Angeles Times

By now you’ve probably learned that the Patriots are, alas, very good again.

From The Wall Street Journal

Their neighbors, alas, did not take the financial advice to heart, and they fell out when the difference between their financial circumstances became apparent.

From MarketWatch

The 50-year mortgage, alas, is yet another example of an all-too-common pattern: a personal finance product whose superficial appeal does not survive careful scrutiny.

From MarketWatch

No one, alas, remembers these would-be revolutionaries anymore.

From The Wall Street Journal