# sadly

/ˈsædɫi/ (US) · /sˈædli/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/sadly
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. unfortunately

adverb · CEFR A2

you use this to say that something is a pity or that you are sorry about a situation.

For teachers: used as a sentence adverb to express regret or to indicate that a situation is unfortunate.

- Sadly, we don't have enough money to go on holiday this year.
- Sadly, the historic theatre was demolished before the local council could secure the funding necessary for its restoration.

Usage: Often placed at the beginning of a sentence to modify the entire statement.

### 2. in a sad way

adverb · CEFR A2

in a way that shows you are feeling unhappy or sorrowful.

For teachers: in a sorrowful or mournful manner; expressing grief or unhappiness through one's actions or voice.

- He looked sadly at the old photos of his childhood home.
- The child looked sadly at his broken toy, realizing that it was far beyond any simple repair.

### 3. badly or poorly

adverb · CEFR B2 · Formal

in a way that is very bad or disappointing.

For teachers: in a manner that is regrettable, deplorable, or of very poor quality.

- The team was sadly lacking in experience compared to their opponents.
- The original safety report was sadly neglected by the management, leading to several avoidable accidents in the following months.

## Examples

- He looked at the broken toy sadly.
- Sadly, the local library will close next month due to a lack of funding.
- The old man smiled sadly as he looked through the faded photographs of his childhood home, knowing he could never return to that simpler time.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.