Crossword answer · 4 letters
Alas definition and meaning
uh-LASS · interjection
ALAS
What does Alas mean?
Alas expresses sorrow, regret, disappointment, or pity.
What does ALAS mean in a crossword?
ALAS answers the reviewed clue ““’Tis a pity …”.” The archaic contraction and lamenting tone invite a regretful interjection.
Why is ALAS useful to learn?
“Alas, the shop was closed” marks disappointment in the speaker's comment. It is not a verb describing the shop's action.
Common clue patterns
- A cry of regret
- A sorrowful interjection
- Unfortunately, in an exclamation
These are editorially written pattern summaries, not a reproduced puzzle archive.
Other meanings to watch
Alas often has a literary or deliberately dramatic tone. It differs from a neutral statement of fact even when the event described is the same.