sad

sad — adjective

IPA/sæd/
KK[sˈæd]IPA/sæd/
  • sadpositive
  • saddercomparative
  • saddestsuperlative

1. feeling or showing unhappiness, especially when something bad or disappointing h

1.adjectiveintransitiveA2
Definition

feeling or showing unhappiness, especially when something bad or disappointing happens

Example

Christopher felt very sad when his dog ran away from home.

feel + sad + when-clause

The sad news about the earthquake made the whole neighbourhood worry.

sad + noun (attributive)

Common collocations
  • feel sad
  • look sad
  • sad news
  • sad moment
  • sad face
  • sad about
  • sad that
Synonyms
  • unhappy

    the most direct synonym; interchangeable in most contexts but slightly less emotional

  • upset

    implies disturbance or worry rather than deep unhappiness

  • heartbroken

    much stronger; used for extreme sadness like losing a loved one

  • down

    informal; suggests a temporary low mood, not deep grief

Antonyms
  • happy

    the direct opposite; feeling pleasure or contentment

  • cheerful

    actively bright and in good spirits

Grammar Patterns

be + sad

feel + sad

sad + about + noun/-ing

sad + (that) + clause

it is sad + that-clause

Usage Note

Commonly used with prepositions 'about' (a specific event) or 'for' (a person). The pattern 'I am sad to say/report' is a fixed expression used to introduce bad news politely.

Common Mistakes

I am very sad from the movie.
I am very sad about the movie.
Use 'about', not 'from', to state the cause of sadness.
She was sad because her friend moved away.
She was sad that her friend moved away.
Both are correct, but 'sad that + clause' is more natural in writing.

2. looking worse than expected because of a lack of care or attention — used about

2.adjectiveintransitiveB1
Definition

looking worse than expected because of a lack of care or attention — used about buildings, gardens, furniture, or other objects

Example

The old house looked sad with its broken windows and overgrown garden.

look + sad (of a place)

Felipe's bicycle stood sad and rusty behind the shed for years.

Common collocations
  • sad sight
  • sad state
  • sad condition
  • look sad
  • sad little
Synonyms
  • shabby

    specifically about worn-out clothes or furniture from heavy use

  • neglected

    emphasises that someone failed to care for the thing

  • dilapidated

    stronger; describes buildings that are falling apart

Antonyms
  • well-kept

    cared for and in good condition

  • smart

    neat and stylish in appearance

Grammar Patterns

sad + noun

look + sad

a sad + state/condition/sight

Usage Note

Frequently used before the nouns 'sight', 'state', or 'condition' to describe something that looks worn down. Cannot be used for people in this sense.

Common Mistakes

The beggar looked sad and hungry.
The beggar looked hungry and tired.
For people in poor condition, use 'unkempt' or 'worn out'; 'sad' in this sense only applies to objects and places.

3. causing disappointment or regret because it is not satisfactory or acceptable —

3.adjectiveintransitiveB1
Definition

causing disappointment or regret because it is not satisfactory or acceptable — for example, a situation, outcome, or fact that one wishes were different

Example

It is sad that the local library had to close because of budget cuts.

it is sad + that-clause

The team's performance was a sad excuse for their usual high standards.

Common collocations
  • sad state
  • sad affair
  • sad end
  • sad waste
  • it is sad that
Synonyms
  • regrettable

    more formal; focuses on wishing things had been different

  • unfortunate

    slightly milder; a common alternative in news and reports

  • deplorable

    formal and strong; suggests moral disapproval

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

it is sad + that-clause

a sad + noun (state/affair/end)

sad + to-infinitive

Usage Note

Distinguish from sense 1: here the speaker is criticising a situation as disappointing or shameful, not necessarily feeling personal sorrow. The pattern 'a sad state of affairs' is a common fixed expression.

Common Mistakes

It is sad that he failed the test, and I cried for hours.
It is sad that he failed the test
he had studied so hard.' — Sense 3 criticises the situation, not one's personal emotional reaction.
The sad weather ruined our picnic.
The bad weather ruined our picnic.
'Sad' is not used for weather; use 'bad', 'terrible', or 'awful'.

4. used as a polite or gentle way to introduce bad news, an unfortunate fact, or an

4.adjectiveintransitiveB1
Definition

used as a polite or gentle way to introduce bad news, an unfortunate fact, or an unwelcome truth — often in the fixed phrase 'sad to say' or 'I am sad to report that'

Example

I am sad to say that the restaurant will close its doors next month.

I am sad to say + that-clause

Sad to report, the historic bridge was destroyed in the recent flood.

Common collocations
  • sad to say
  • sad to report
  • sad to inform
  • sad to learn
Synonyms
  • unfortunately

    the standard adverb equivalent; less personal but more common in writing

  • alas

    literary or old-fashioned; expresses sorrow or pity

  • regrettably

    formal; focuses on the fact being regrettable

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

(I am) sad + to say/report/inform

sad to say/relate

Usage Note

This is a formulaic expression used at the start of a statement to soften bad news. Unlike sense 1, the speaker may not feel actual sadness — the phrase is a politeness convention. Common in formal announcements, letters, and news reports.

Common Mistakes

I am sad to say you won the prize.
I am happy to say you won the prize.
'Sad to say' is ONLY used for bad news; for good news, use 'happy to say' or 'pleased to announce'.
Sad to say, I am feeling great today.
Sad to say, the event has been cancelled.
The phrase must introduce something genuinely negative or unfortunate.

5. not fashionable, interesting, or impressive; looking or feeling uncool — used es

5.adjectiveintransitiveB1
Definition

not fashionable, interesting, or impressive; looking or feeling uncool — used especially by young people about clothes, music, activities, or social status

Example

Mert thought his old jacket looked sad compared to his friends' stylish clothes.

Wearing last year's school uniform made Ayana feel a bit sad at the party.

feel + sad (informal, meaning uncool)

Common collocations
  • feel sad
  • so sad
  • look sad
  • a sad + noun
Synonyms
  • lame

    the closest synonym; equally informal and common among young speakers

  • uncool

    more neutral in tone; describes something out of fashion

  • pathetic

    stronger; implies contempt or pity

Antonyms
  • cool

    fashionable and impressive

  • hip

    aware of or following the latest trends

Grammar Patterns

be + sad

look + sad

a sad + noun

Usage Note

This sense is informal slang, common among teenagers and young adults. It often carries a judgmental tone. Avoid in formal writing or professional contexts.

Common Mistakes

My grandmother's cooking is sad.
My grandmother's cooking is not very exciting.
Using 'sad' to mean 'uncool' can sound rude about people; it is safer to use it about things like fashion, music, or activities.

sad — noun

IPA/ˌes.eɪˈdiː/
KK[sˈæd]IPA/ˌes.eɪˈdiː/

sad — abbreviation

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

All five words describe a lack of happiness, but they differ in intensity, duration, and context. 'Unhappy' is the most neutral and general; it can describe a brief disappointment or a lasting life situation. 'Miserable' is stronger and suggests deep, prolonged unhappiness — a person who is miserable feels utterly wretched, often because of ongoing hardship such as illness or poverty. 'Gloomy' focuses on outward atmosphere or a pessimistic outlook rather than an internal feeling — a room can be gloomy, and a person can have a gloomy view of the future. 'Down' is informal and implies a temporary dip in mood, not a serious emotional state; it is common in everyday spoken English ('I'm feeling a bit down today'). 'Sorrowful' is literary and formal; it describes a dignified, quiet sadness associated with loss or nostalgia rather than irritation or frustration. For everyday use, 'unhappy' is the safest choice; 'miserable' and 'down' add specific strength or informality.

unhappy ↗miserable ↗gloomy ↗down ↗sorrowful ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • feeling sad
  • look of sadness
  • sense of sadness

Adverbs

  • deeply sad
  • really sad
  • terribly sad
  • incredibly sad
  • a little sad
  • genuinely sad

Phrases

  • sad to say
  • sad to report
  • sad state of affairs
  • sad news
  • a sad story

Prepositions

  • sad about
  • sad for
  • sad over

Etymology

Proto-Indo-EuropeanGermanicOld EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

The word 'sad' comes from Old English 'sæd', which originally meant 'full, sated, or satisfied' (like having had enough food). Over time, the meaning shifted: being 'full' of something led to being 'weary' of it, and then to feeling sorrowful or heavy-hearted. The same Proto-Indo-European root *seh₂- ('to satisfy') also gave Latin 'satis' (enough), from which we get 'satisfy', 'saturate', and 'satiate'. So the modern English word 'sad' and 'satisfied' are distant cousins — an unusual journey from fullness to unhappiness.