alas
pronunciation
How to pronounce alas in British English:
UK [əˈlæs]
How to pronounce alas in American English:
US [əˈlæs]
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- Adverb:
- by bad luck
Word Origin
- alas
- alas: [13] In origin alas was an exclamation of weariness rather than grief. Latin lassus ‘weary’ (related to let ‘allow’ and source of lassitude) passed into Old French as las which, with the addition of the exclamation a ‘ah’, became alas.=> lassitude, let
- alas
- mid-13c., from Old French ha, las (later French hélas), from ha "ah" + las "unfortunate," originally "tired, weary," from Latin lassus "weary" (see late). At first an expression of weariness rather than woe.
Example
- 1. Things that are less fun than shopping , alas .
- 2. Alas , he did not record the year .
- 3. So , alas , would a more nuanced view on public-service reform , since much of the party never signed up to the blairite agenda .
- 4. Alas , some of those plans are already hitting obstacles .
- 5. Alas , pessimists are entitled to some doubts .