You use alas to say that you think that the facts you are talking about are sad or unfortunate.
[formal, feelings]
Such scandals have not, alas, been absent.
Alas, it's not that simple.
Synonyms: sadly, unfortunately, inopportunely More Synonyms of alas
alas in British English
(əˈlæs)
sentence connector
1.
unfortunately; regrettably
there were, alas, none left
exclamation
2.
an exclamation of grief, compassion, or alarm
Word origin
C13: from Old French ha las! oh wretched!; las from Latin lassus weary
Alas. in British English
abbreviation for
Alaska
Alaska in British English
(əˈlæskə)
noun
1.
the largest state of the US, in the extreme northwest of North America: the aboriginal inhabitants are Inuit and Yupik; the earliest White settlements were made by the Russians; it was purchased by the US from Russia in 1867. It is mostly mountainous and volcanic, rising over 6000 m (20 000 ft), with the Yukon basin in the central region; large areas are covered by tundra; it has important mineral resources (chiefly coal, oil, and natural gas). Capital: Juneau. Pop: 648 818 (2003 est). Area: 1 530 694 sq km (591 004 sq miles)
Abbreviation: Alas or (with zip code) AK
2. Gulf of Alaska
Alas in American English
Alaska
alas in American English
(əˈlæs; əˈlɑs)
interjection
used to express sorrow, pity, regret, or worry
Word origin
ME < OFr a las, helas < a-, he-, ah + las, wretched < L lassus, weary
Examples of 'alas' in a sentence
alas
But now, alas, suits are out of style.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
They are also, alas, elbowing common sense out of the window.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
The latter, alas, also excludes vernacular fiction.
The Times Literary Supplement (2013)
It should also not, alas, be surprising.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Now, alas, she is no more.
The Sun (2008)
Some are great but many are, alas, poor.
The Sun (2009)
Too often, alas, they have it exactly right.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Alas, I now have only one left.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
In other languages
alas
British English: alas ADVERB
You use alas to say that you think that the facts you are talking about are sad or unfortunate.