# sadness

/ˈsædnəs/ (US) · /sˈædnəs/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/sadness
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. the feeling of being sad

noun · CEFR A2

the feeling of being unhappy or sorry, often because something bad has happened.

For teachers: 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.

### 2. a sad event

noun · CEFR B2

a specific event or situation that causes you to feel unhappy.

For teachers: 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'.

## Examples

- She felt a deep sadness when her best friend moved away.
- The movie captures the quiet sadness of growing up and leaving home for the first time.
- The poet explores the intersection of beauty and sadness, suggesting that one cannot truly appreciate joy without understanding the weight of loss.

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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.