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