English Reference
adjective · interjection

sad

adj. · interj.
US /ˈsæd/ UK /sˈæd/ sad

  1. 01 A1 Beginner

    adj.feeling unhappy or showing sorrow.

    adj.affected by unhappiness or grief; experiencing a low emotional state.

    Simple

    He felt very sad after his best friend moved to another city.

    In context

    The protagonist's journey is marked by a profound sense of loss, leaving him visibly sad throughout the final act of the play.

  2. 02 A1 Beginner

    adj.describing a situation or event that makes you feel unhappy.

    adj.causing or suggestive of sorrow; unfortunate or regrettable in nature.

    Simple

    It was a sad day when the old library finally closed its doors.

    In context

    It is a sad reality that many historic buildings are demolished to make way for modern shopping centres.

  3. 03 C1 Advanced InformalSlang

    adj.used to describe someone or something that is very boring, unfashionable, or embarrassing.

    adj.denoting someone or something considered socially inadequate, pathetic, or contemptible.

    Simple

    He spends all Saturday night cleaning his shoelaces—it's a bit sad, really.

    In context

    The critics dismissed the aging rock star's attempt to stay relevant as a sad display of desperation.

  4. 04 C2 Proficiency SlangHumorous

    interj.a word used online to mock something or show you think it is pathetic.

    interj.used as a standalone comment to express contempt or to mock a perceived failure.

    Simple

    He forgot his own birthday. Sad.

    In context

    The rival candidate's inability to answer a simple question about the economy was met with a one-word tweet: Sad.

    Teacher's tip

    This usage became a popular internet meme; it is often used sarcastically to mimic political rhetoric.

Usage sad time

This entry
Level A1 · Beginner
Frequency Very common
Updated