alas

1 of 2

interjection

ə-ˈlas 

—used to express unhappiness, pity, or concern

Life, alas, is too short.

Alas

2 of 2

abbreviation

Alaska

Synonyms of alas

Interjection

• boo
• alack
• woe
• rats
• ay
• aw

Examples of alas in a Sentence

Interjection

Juliet's pitiful lament, “alas, poor Romeo, he is already dead!”.

Recent Examples on the Web

Interjection

With the wedding canceled, Enola attempts to juggle her investigations with easing Tewkesbury’s believably bruised heart, but alas, things just don’t slow down. — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 30 June 2026

The final day of June is here, alas, and the best month of the year is almost at an end. — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026

Raya’s father intended to use the stone to reunite the kingdom’s five tribes but, alas, he gets turned to stone instead. — Lincee Ray, Entertainment Weekly, 25 June 2026

Like the catchphrase to the Wide World of Sports broadcast that first enthralled Hunt with the World Cup, this was the essence of the thrill of victory contrasting, alas, with the agony of defeat. — Kansas City Star, 21 June 2026

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

Rhymes for alas

• amass
• bromegrass
• bypass
• crabgrass
• crevasse
• eelgrass
• eyeglass
• groundmass
• harass
• impasse
• jackass
• landmass

Kids Definition

alas

interjection

ə-ˈlas 

—used to express unhappiness, pity, or concern