alas

1 of 2

interjection

used to express unhappiness, pity, or concern
Life, alas, is too short.

Alas

2 of 2

abbreviation

Examples of alas in a Sentence

Interjection Juliet's pitiful lament, “alas, poor Romeo, he is already dead!”.
Recent Examples on the Web
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Interjection
The production, New Orleans: The Storyville Musical, had not, alas, been a success. Elon Green, Vulture, 5 Mar. 2025 In every other way, alas, the decision to send our protagonist across so soon is a critical error. Graham Hillard, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 28 Feb. 2025 Elsewhere, alas, Mickey has little bodily autonomy. Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 28 Feb. 2025 On that question, alas, my fears turned out to be right. Joshua Yaffa, The New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for alas

Word History

Etymology

Interjection

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from a ah + las weary, from Latin lassus — more at lassitude

First Known Use

Interjection

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of alas was in the 13th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Alas.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alas. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

alas

interjection
used to express unhappiness, pity, or concern

More from Merriam-Webster on alas

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