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

These, alas, were hard to spot, the exception being a gentleman whose torso, richly tattooed, was encased in a transparent cuirass. — Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 13 July 2026

But, alas, there are no other young male seals in the residential streets of Hobart to practice chest-puffing and sparring with. — Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 11 July 2026

There were, alas, many more contenders for the latter than the former. — The Week Uk, TheWeek, 10 July 2026

And, alas, there isn't the customary chain saw whipped out at the end. — ABC News, 8 July 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