# alas

> English word · Interjection · IPA /əˈlæs/ · frequency rank #11,647

## Definitions
1. Used to express sorrow, regret, compassion, grief, resignation, or disappointment.

## Etymology
From Middle English alas, from Old French a las (French hélas), from a (“ah”) + las, from Latin lassus (“weary”). Compare Dutch helaas, North Frisian ielas, West Frisian eilaas.

## Easily confused with
- **as** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/alas-vs-as)
- **all** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/alas-vs-all)
- **ass** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/alas-vs-ass)
- **Ali** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/alas-vs-ali)
- **ana** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/alas-vs-ana)
- **alt** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/alas-vs-alt)
- **ale** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/alas-vs-ale)
- **Ava** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/alas-vs-ava)
- **ama** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/alas-vs-ama)
- **ASA** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/alas-vs-asa)
- **als** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/alas-vs-als)
- **apa** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/alas-vs-apa)
- **ans** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/alas-vs-ans)
- **ara** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/alas-vs-ara)
- **AWS** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/alas-vs-aws)
- **APS** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/alas-vs-aps)
- **alf** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/alas-vs-alf)
- **alp** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/alas-vs-alp)
- **ATA** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/alas-vs-ata)
- **aya** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/alas-vs-aya)

## Common misspellings (5)
`aals`, `alass`, `allas`, `alsa`, `laas`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/alas