sadness

• sadnesse (obsolete)

From Middle English sadnesse, equivalent to sad +‎ -ness.

• IPA^(key): /ˈsædnəs/

• Audio (US):

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sadness (countable and uncountable, plural sadnesses)

1. (uncountable) The state or emotion of being sad.

   Synonyms: forlornness, melancholy; see also Thesaurus:sadness

   • c. 1602, William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Troylus and Cressida”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene i]:

     But sorrow that is couch'd in seeming gladness
     Is like that mirth fate turns to sudden sadness.

   • 1707, John Dunton, “Mourning Joy: or a Paradox in Praiſe of Sadneſs”, in Athenian Sport[:] […] , page 423:

     I mean not then under the name of Sadneſs to defend effeminate Bewailings and Lamentations; let them that ſubject themſelves to this weakeſt Impatience, be alſo ſubject to the Lycian Law, that bound theſe kind of Lamenters to be array'd like Women: […]

   • 2023 February 13, Deidre McPhillips, “Teens, especially girls, are experiencing more violence, suicidal thoughts and mental health challenges, CDC survey finds”, in CNN‎^[1]:

     The survey found increasing mental health challenges, experiences of violence, and suicidal thoughts and behavior among all teens. More than 40% of high school students said that feelings of sadness or hopelessness prevented them from engaging in their regular activities for at least two weeks of the year.

   • 2025 April 28, Madeline Holcombe, “It might be time to ‘reparent’ yourself. Here’s how to get started”, in CNN‎^[2]:

     The compassion to yourself comes in validating the feelings your inner child is having –– the stress, fear, anger or sadness — and make adult decisions about the best way to move forward, Lev said.

2. (countable) An event in one's life that causes sadness.

   Synonyms: misfortune, woe; see also Thesaurus:woe

   She has experienced many sadnesses in her forty years.