alas

Synonym discussion

Sense: exclamation/1

All four words mark something the speaker wishes were different, but they sit at very different points on the register scale. 'Unfortunately' is the safe neutral default — fine in conversation, news writing, and most formal writing alike: 'Unfortunately, the train is delayed.' 'Sadly' adds a slightly warmer, more personal note and is common in spoken English: 'Sadly, she missed the wedding.' 'Regrettably' is firmly formal and often used in business or official statements: 'Regrettably, your application has been declined.' 'Alas' is the most self-consciously literary of the set — modern speakers reach for it for a touch of irony, an old-fashioned flourish, or in genuinely literary prose. Compare: 'Sadly, the meeting was cancelled' (neutral spoken) versus 'The meeting, alas, was cancelled' (mock-formal, almost playful).

Common collocations

Etymology

Comes into English in the thirteenth century from Old French 'a las' or 'helas', literally meaning 'ah, weary' or 'ah, unhappy'. The 'las' part traces back to Latin 'lassus', meaning tired or worn out — the same root that gives English 'lassitude'. So the word's original picture is something like a tired sigh of disappointment, which still matches its modern feel.