woefully

UK: ˈwəʊfəli | US: ˈwoʊfəli

Definition

  1. adv. in a manner expressing sorrow or misery

  2. adv. to an extremely unfortunate or regrettable degree

Structure
woeful <full of woe/sorrow>ly <adverb suffix>
Etymology

The word "woefully" combines "woeful," derived from Middle English "woful" (woe + ful), and the adverbial suffix "-ly." "Woe" traces back to Old English "wā," meaning grief or misery, while "-ful" denotes "full of." The suffix "-ly" transforms adjectives into adverbs. Together, they vividly convey a state of deep sorrow or extreme misfortune.

Examples

  1. She sighed woefully after hearing the bad news.

  2. The team performed woefully in the championship.

  3. He looked woefully at the empty refrigerator.

  4. The project was woefully underfunded from the start.

  5. They realized woefully that they had missed the last train.