Quick answer
Alas means an exclamation of sorrow, regret, or disappointment. It is usually pronounced uh-LASS, and today it is mostly used in literary, humorous, or historical contexts rather than everyday speech.
Word page
Alas
Alas means an exclamation of sorrow, regret, or disappointment. It belongs to shakespearean and stagey words and works best in playful writing, lively dialogue, and moments when plain wording feels too flat. It still feels usable today, especially when you want a word with more character than the plainest alternative.
At a glance
shakespeareanstageydramatic
How to say it
Meaning in plain English
In plain English, alas refers to an exclamation of sorrow, regret, or disappointment. It is most useful when a plain label would tell the truth but miss the tone, flavor, or comic edge.
In plain English, alas often means unfortunately, but with more feeling and style. It can sound genuinely mournful, dryly comic, or deliberately old-fashioned depending on who is saying it.
Why this word feels absurd
Alas feels absurd because it has more texture than the plain alternative, giving the idea an extra bit of theatrical, comic, or overbuilt energy.
Origin and history
Alas is generally traced to older English exclamation from French influence. In modern use, the history matters less than the strong tone the word still carries.
Is this word still used today?
Alas is still usable today, especially when you want language that feels more distinctive than the plainest modern alternative.
Example sentences
- Alas, the tickets sold out before noon.
- He promised punctuality and, alas, arrived twenty minutes late.
- In the essay, “alas” marks each turning point of failed optimism.
- Alas for the cake, which never had a chance.
When should you use this word?
Use alas when you want a more vivid, characterful choice than the plain everyday alternative. It works especially well in playful writing, dialogue, and places where tone matters.
Do not confuse it with a general cry of surprise. Alas specifically leans toward disappointment, sorrow, or resigned frustration, not excitement or shock.
Similar words
alack, sadly, unfortunately, oh dear, woe
Opposite or contrasting words
fortunately, happily, at last, to everyone's relief
Why people search for this word
People usually search for alas because they have seen it in print, heard it aloud, or want to check whether its tone is comic, serious, archaic, or sharper than expected.
If that is why you landed here, compare it with Shakespearean and Stagey Words, browse the stronger A-words, and follow Shakespearean Insults for nearby pages that answer the same kind of search intent.
How to use it correctly
Use alas when you want the meaning to land quickly and the tone to do a little extra work at the same time.
Keep the surrounding sentence simple, then branch out through Old English Insults, the Shakespearean and Stagey Words shelf, and the A-words archive if you want close alternatives that still feel intentional rather than random.
That way the word sounds chosen for meaning and effect, not just dropped in because it looks unusual.
Common questions
- What does alas mean? Alas is an exclamation of sorrow, regret, disappointment, or helpless recognition.
- Is alas just an old-fashioned way to say unfortunately? Often yes, though alas sounds more emotional and theatrical than the plainer unfortunately.
- How do you use alas in a sentence? Use it to introduce a setback, regret, or disappointed turn in a sentence, especially when you want a literary or knowingly dramatic tone.
- Is alas still used today? Yes, though mostly for humorous, literary, or intentionally old-fashioned effect rather than neutral everyday speech.
- How do you pronounce alas? It is commonly pronounced uh-LASS.
Editorial note
Edited by Absurd Words. Last updated: May 9, 2026. See the editorial policy for how definitions, examples, labels, and update checks are handled on the site.