sadness
Americannoun
-
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.
-
an instance of sorrow.
How can you be so unaware of the sadnesses these children have experienced?
Etymology
Origin of sadness
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English sadnesse; sad ( def. ) + -ness ( def. )
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.
How much of their mother’s sobbing and sadness could her young children bear to absorb?
A wave of sadness, muddy green and dark brown, rolled through him.
From Literature
The EastEnders statement added: "Elizabeth Kelly created a wonderful character in Nellie Ellis, and it is with great sadness that we learn of her passing."
From BBC
His throat was closing up with shame and sadness about what had happened with his mom, indistinguishable from the shame and sadness about what he’d done to Toby.
From Literature
The smile on his face was so peaceful and eager that the boy did not feel any sadness.
From Literature
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
