Is sadness a formal word?

No, it is common and neutral. You can use it in speech, writing, and exams.

What is the difference between sadness and grief?

Sadness is general unhappiness. Grief is stronger and usually connected to loss or death.

Can I say “I have sadness”?

People usually say “I feel sad” or “I am feeling sadness” in more formal writing.

← Dictionary

sadness

/ˈsæd.nəs/

IELTSAcademic

noun

Sadness is the feeling you have when something bad happens, or when you feel unhappy and low. It can be short or last for a long time.

She felt sadness after hearing the news.
There was sadness in his voice.
Grief is a deep kind of sadness.

Adinary Nuance

Sadness is the general word for feeling unhappy. It is softer and broader than grief, which is used for deep loss, and stronger than disappointment, which is about unmet hopes. Writers choose sadness when they want a simple, clear feeling word without making it too strong.

In other languages

Vietnamese: nỗi buồn
Spanish: tristeza
Chinese: 悲伤
Japanese: 悲しみ
Korean: 슬픔

Etymology

Sadness comes from Old English sādnes, from sād meaning “sated” or “heavy.” By Middle English, it came to mean a feeling of being unhappy.

Common phrases

deep sadnessfeel sadnessa look of sadnesswith sadness

Synonyms

sorrow unhappiness melancholy gloom

Related words

grief disappointment mourning heartache

Frequently asked questions

Is sadness a formal word?: No, it is common and neutral. You can use it in speech, writing, and exams.
What is the difference between sadness and grief?: Sadness is general unhappiness. Grief is stronger and usually connected to loss or death.
Can I say “I have sadness”?: People usually say “I feel sad” or “I am feeling sadness” in more formal writing.