What does alas mean?
Alas is an interjection used to express sorrow, pity, grief, or regret, typically in response to misfortune, disappointment, or loss. It usually appears at the beginning of a sentence or clause — 'Alas, it was not to be' — and is followed by a statement of what has gone wrong. The word carries a distinctly literary, formal, or old-fashioned flavour: while once common in everyday speech, it now appears mostly in literature, drama, historical fiction, and deliberately rhetorical or humorous writing. Its most famous appearance is in Shakespeare's Hamlet, in the line 'Alas, poor Yorick!' spoken by Hamlet as he contemplates the skull of the court jester. Derived from Old French 'helas', itself from Latin 'heu' meaning 'alas' or 'ah', the word has been part of English since medieval times. Though rarely heard in modern conversation, alas remains a compact and evocative way to signal regret, lending gravity and a touch of theatrical pathos to whatever follows it.
interjectionAn exclamation expressing grief, pity, or regret, typically in response to something unfortunate or disappointing.
- Used to express grief, pity, sorrow, or regret over an unfortunate event or situation.
"Alas, the train had already departed by the time we reached the platform."
"Alas, the funding we had hoped for never materialised."
"'The castle is lost,' she said with a sigh. 'Alas, there is nothing more we can do.'"
Shakespeare gave 'alas' its most famous moment — 'Alas, poor Yorick!' — turning a simple sigh of sorrow into one of the most quoted lines in English literature.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of alas
Alas entered English from Old French 'helas', which itself derives from the Latin interjection 'heu', an exclamation of grief or pain. The word was well established in Middle English and has remained in continuous use since medieval times, though its everyday currency has declined in favour of plainer expressions of regret. Its French cousin 'hélas' survives in modern French with the same meaning.
How alas is actually used
Alas functions as an interjection rather than a grammatical part of speech like noun or verb. It carries a somewhat formal, literary, or old-fashioned tone in modern usage — common in literature, drama, and rhetorical writing, but rare in casual everyday conversation. It often appears at the start of a sentence or clause, frequently followed by a comma.
Easily confused with alas
Alack is a separate, now largely archaic interjection of similar meaning (expressing regret or shame), whereas alas remains the standard term for expressing grief or regret.