Word
sadness
Phoneticssad·ness, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈsædnəs/
UK/sˈædnəs/
Definitions
01the feeling of being sad
A2 · Elementary Uncountable noun
n. the feeling of being unhappy or sorry, often because something bad has happened.
n. the emotional state of unhappiness, grief, or sorrow. Uncountable in this abstract sense.
“A wave of sadness came over her as she looked at the old family photos.”
“The profound sadness she felt after the move was tempered by the excitement of starting a new chapter in a different city.”
Usage
Often used with the prepositions 'at' or 'about' to indicate the cause.
Synonyms
02a sad event
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. a specific event or situation that causes you to feel unhappy.
n. a specific instance, event, or circumstance that elicits sorrow. Countable in this usage.
“It was a great sadness that they never got to say goodbye to their friend.”
“The closing of the local library was a great sadness for the elderly residents who relied on it for social connection.”
Usage
Commonly used in the construction 'it is a sadness that...' or 'one of the sadnesses of life'.
Synonyms
Etymology
From Middle English sadnesse, equivalent to sad + -ness.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- A2 · Elementary
- Updated
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