alas

¹

[ uh-las, uh-lahs ]

interjection

1. (used as an exclamation to express sorrow, grief, pity, concern, or apprehension of evil.)

Alas.

²

abbreviation for

1. Alaska.

Alas.

¹

abbreviation for

1. Alaska

alas

²

/ əˈlæs /

sentence connector

1. unfortunately; regrettably

   there were, alas, none left

interjection

1. an exclamation of grief, compassion, or alarm

Word History and Origins

Origin of alas¹

1225–75; Middle English < Old French ( h ) a las!, equivalent to ( h ) a ah + las wretched < Latin lassus weary; alack

Word History and Origins

Origin of alas¹

C13: from Old French ha las! oh wretched!; las from Latin lassus weary

Example Sentences

But self-doubt, while a healthy quality for human beings to have, is alas not a plus for politicians.

From The Daily Beast

But alas, a snub is yet another of the many indignities Valerie Cherish shall endure.

From The Daily Beast

Alas, his soul is willing, but his flesh is weak and he whiffs.

From The Daily Beast

Alas, there will be no buddy movie to capture the Abramson/McConnell rapport.

From The Daily Beast

Alas, neocons, civil liberties at home matter more than those abroad!

From The Daily Beast

“Alas, mon bon Monsieur, it goes from bad to worse,” sighed the old man.

From Project Gutenberg

From a sense of justice, I hastened to remunerate those who had been deprived of their coign of vantage, but, alas!

From Project Gutenberg

For we have, alas, no means of finding out what the quantity of labor is and how it can be measured.

From Project Gutenberg

And out of this thicket, alas, no two people ever emerge hand in hand in concord.

From Project Gutenberg

Alas, its colour was other than the deep chestnut bronze of Georgie Haggard's.

From Project Gutenberg