pity

American  

[pit-ee] / ˈpɪt i /

noun

plural

pities

1. sympathetic or kindly sorrow evoked by the suffering, distress, or misfortune of another, often leading one to give relief or aid or to show mercy.

   to feel pity for a starving child.

   Synonyms:

   compassion, commiseration

2. a cause or reason for pity, sorrow, or regret.

   What a pity you could not go!

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adjective

1. motivated by a sense of pity or sympathy for others or for oneself.

   It seems he got the pity vote because of his personality, but his singing just wasn’t that great.

verb (used with object)

pitied, pitying

1. to feel pity or compassion for; be sorry for; commiserate with.

verb (used without object)

pitied, pitying

1. to have compassion; feel pity.

idioms

1. have / take pity, to show mercy or compassion.

pity British  

/ ˈpɪtɪ /

noun

1. sympathy or sorrow felt for the sufferings of another

2. to have sympathy or show mercy for

3. something that causes regret or pity

4. an unfortunate chance

   what a pity you can't come

5. it is highly regrettable (that)

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verb

1. (tr) to feel pity for

pity More Idioms  

1. see for one's (pity's) sake; take pity on.

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Related Words

See sympathy .

Other Word Forms

• outpity verb (used with object)
• pitying adjective
• pityingly adverb
• unpitied adjective

Etymology

Origin of pity

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English pite, from Old French pite, earlier pitet, from Latin pietāt- (stem of pietās “dutiful respect, sense of duty”); piety

Example Sentences

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

He said Pam "took pity" on him and brought him in with her entourage.

From BBC • Mar. 28, 2026

And yet, in the end, you can’t help but pity the man.

From Salon • Mar. 28, 2026

“I’m not suggesting anyone pity the poor rich. But as the ‘affordability’ debate bubbles on, it’s remarkable how far up the income bracket you can go and still feel squeezed,” says Zagare.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 16, 2026

Exception 1.—Before ing or ish, the final y is retained to prevent the doubling of the i: as, pity + ing = pitying.

From New Word-Analysis by William Swinton

Related Words

• compassion
• condolence
• empathy
• kindness
• melancholy
• mercy
• sadness
• sorrow
• sympathy
• tenderness
• warmth