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Glite Dictionary
alack

alack

1 9.9
An old word people say to show sadness or regret
  • interjection
  • /əˈlæk/
  • Archaic
translation icon : ay
  • So, today was supposed to have been the big opening day, but alas and alack, we are unable to open.
  • alas and alack

Examples

  • Alack, we will have to cancel the picnic due to the rain ....

  • Well, alack a day and a day...

    Blog text (15)

  • Alack... the people have spoken.

    Pan (2015)

  • Alas and alack, it was 15 years ago this month that Carl Sagan entered the ultimate wormhole.

    Blog text (15)

  • Alack, I missed the chance to see my favorite band ....

  • Alack, my homework is due tomorrow, and I haven't started yet ....

Synonyms

alas
vsalack
  • Literature
140 7.4

To show sadness or feel sorry about something bad

is older and more old-fashioned while keeping the same sorrowful tone
aww
vsalack
  • Informal
29 8.7

Short sound people make when they feel sorry or disappointed

is older and more formal and often shows stronger sorrow
lackaday
vsalack
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A word you say to show regret, surprise, or disappointment

focuses on regret and disappointment but in an older style
wellaway
vsalack
  • Archaic
9.9

An old cry of sadness at bad news

expresses sorrow and regret with less intense grief
waesucks
vsalack
  • Archaic
9.9

An old word people say to show they feel sorry or sad

expresses regret or disappointment rather than chiefly sympathy

Surface Forms

alack main

Etymology

Alack is an old form of alas and it also sounds like the word lack, which means 'missing' or 'not enough'. A helpful way to remember alack is to think of someone saying it when something is lost or missing, so the word shows sorrow or regret.