pity

American  

[pit-ee] / ˈpɪt i /

noun

plural

pities

1. sympathetic or kindly sorrow evoked by the suffering, distress, or misfortune of another, often leading one to give relief or aid or to show mercy.

   to feel pity for a starving child.

   Synonyms:

   compassion, commiseration

2. a cause or reason for pity, sorrow, or regret.

   What a pity you could not go!

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adjective

1. motivated by a sense of pity or sympathy for others or for oneself.

   It seems he got the pity vote because of his personality, but his singing just wasn’t that great.

verb (used with object)

pitied, pitying

1. to feel pity or compassion for; be sorry for; commiserate with.

verb (used without object)

pitied, pitying

1. to have compassion; feel pity.

idioms

1. have / take pity, to show mercy or compassion.

pity British  

/ ˈpɪtɪ /

noun

1. sympathy or sorrow felt for the sufferings of another

2. to have sympathy or show mercy for

3. something that causes regret or pity

4. an unfortunate chance

   what a pity you can't come

5. it is highly regrettable (that)

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verb

1. (tr) to feel pity for

pity More Idioms  

1. see for one's (pity's) sake; take pity on.

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Related Words

See sympathy .

Other Word Forms

• outpity verb (used with object)
• pitying adjective
• pityingly adverb
• unpitied adjective

Etymology

Origin of pity

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English pite, from Old French pite, earlier pitet, from Latin pietāt- (stem of pietās “dutiful respect, sense of duty”); piety

Explanation

If you feel pity, you feel sympathy for someone else's suffering. A documentary on prisoners who have been wrongfully convicted might make you feel pity for them. Use pity as a noun or a verb. You feel pity for the really bad singer so you try to look attentive, but then you pity yourself for having to suffer through his terrible rendition of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow." We also say something is a pity if it's something to be sad about. It's a pity that your computer crashed right after you finished your paper.

Example Sentences

Maybe we take a moment to feel a response, perhaps pity or anger.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 12, 2026

It’s a medicated but functioning limbo that Peet, in one of her best roles, conveys without the slightest trace of pity but with a coursing, wryly emotional intelligence that always reveals the sadness fueling it.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

It’s a pity that the rest of us have to be along for the ride.

From Salon • Mar. 14, 2026

One thing Welsh rugby does not want is pity or derision.

From BBC • Mar. 6, 2026

“You too, my dearest,” she said, with infinite yearning of pity in her voice and eyes.

From "Dracula" by Bram Stoker

Related Words

• compassion
• condolence
• empathy
• kindness
• melancholy
• mercy
• sadness
• sorrow
• sympathy
• tenderness
• warmth