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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Interjection
Trump, born the same year as Lynch, is, alas for us, our most influential shaper of reality. Jessica Winter, The New Yorker, 28 Jan. 2025 The title, alas, ends up being slightly misleading. David Fear, Rolling Stone, 28 Jan. 2025 Have at it, Roy… … but, alas, Roy is no longer with us. Greg Marotta, New York Daily News, 12 Jan. 2025 Christmas doesn’t stop news from happening, alas, and this past December the glass hive buzzed. Brian T. Allen, National Review, 2 Jan. 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

Dictionary Entries Near alas

Cite this Entry

“Alas.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alas. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

alas

interjection
used to express unhappiness, pity, or concern

More from Merriam-Webster on alas

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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