SADLY

sadly, unhappily

(adverb) in an unfortunate way; “sadly he died before he could see his grandchild”

deplorably, lamentably, sadly, woefully

(adverb) in an unfortunate or deplorable manner; “he was sadly neglected”; “it was woefully inadequate”

sadly

(adverb) with sadness; in a sad manner; “‘She died last night,’ he said sadly”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Adverb

sadly (comparative sadlier or more sadly, superlative sadliest or most sadly)

In a sad manner; sorrowfully.

Unfortunately, sad to say.

(dated) Very much (of a desire etc.); dearly; urgently.

(obsolete) Deeply, completely.

Usage notes

In sense of “unfortunately”, most often used either in the collocation “sadly mistaken” or as a sentence adverb. See discussion of sentence modifiers at hopefully and regretfully.

Synonyms

• (in a sad manner): sorrowfully, ruefully, mournfully, regretfully (various terms for particular shades of sadness)

• (unfortunately): unfortunately, sad to say, regrettably, regretfully, alas

Anagrams

• DALYs, Dyals, ladsy

Source: Wiktionary

Sad"ly, adv.

1. Wearily; heavily; firmly. [Obs.] In go the spears full sadly in arest. Chaucer.

2. Seriously; soberly; gravely. [Obs.] To tell thee sadly, shepherd, without blame Or our neglect, we lost her as we came. Milton.

3. Grievously; deeply; sorrowfully; miserably. "He sadly suffers in their grief." Dryden.

SAD

Sad, a. [Compar. Sadder; supperl. Saddest.] Etym: [OE. sad sated, tired, satisfied, firm, steadfast, AS. sæd satisfied, sated; akin to D. zat, OS. sad, G. tt, OHG. sat, sa, saddr, Goth. saps, Lith. sotus, L. sat, satis, enough, satur sated, Gr. Assets, Sate, Satiate, Satisfy Satire.]

1. Sated; satisfied; weary; tired. [Obs.] Yet of that art they can not waxen sad, For unto them it is a bitter sweet. Chaucer.

2. Heavy; weighty; ponderous; close; hard. [Obs., except in a few phrases; as, sad bread.] His hand, more sad than lump of lead. Spenser. Chalky lands are naturally cold and sad. Mortimer.

3. Dull; grave; dark; somber; -- said of colors. "Sad-colored clothes." Walton. Woad, or wade, is used by the dyers to lay the foundation of all sad colors. Mortimer.

4. Serious; grave; sober; steadfast; not light or frivolous. [Obs.] "Ripe and sad courage." Bacon. Which treaty was wisely handled by sad and discrete counsel of both parties. Ld. Berners.

5. Affected with grief or unhappiness; cast down with affliction; downcast; gloomy; mournful. First were we sad, fearing you would not come; Now sadder, that you come so unprovided. Shak. The angelic guards ascended, mute and sad. Milton.

6. Afflictive; calamitous; causing sorrow; as, a sad accident; a sad misfortune.

7. Hence, bad; naughty; troublesome; wicked. [Colloq.] "Sad tipsy fellows, both of them." I. Taylor.

Note: Sad is sometimes used in the formation of self-explaining compounds; as, sad-colored, sad-eyed, sad-hearted, sad-looking, and the like. Sad bread, heavy bread. [Scot. & Local, U.S.] Bartlett.

Syn.

– Sorrowful; mournful; gloomy; dejected; depressed; cheerless; downcast; sedate; serious; grave; grievous; afflictive; calamitous.

Sad, v. t.

Definition: To make sorrowful; to sadden. [Obs.] How it sadded the minister's spirits! H. Peters.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition