REGRETFULLY

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does regretfully mean? 

• REGRETFULLY (adverb)
  The adverb REGRETFULLY has 1 sense:

1. with regret (used in polite formulas)

  Familiarity information: REGRETFULLY used as an adverb is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• REGRETFULLY (adverb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

With regret (used in polite formulas)

Context example:

I must regretfully decline your kind invitation

Pertainym:

regretful (feeling or expressing regret or sorrow or a sense of loss over something done or undone)

 Context examples 

He tried four hours and a half, and regretfully came back to five.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

"Yes, I should think so," and Laurie thought regretfully of his own idle days.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

He looked at her quickly, half-hopefully, and then said, all regretfully: Too late.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

"My seared vision! My crippled strength!" he murmured regretfully.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

"I'm sorry to be troublin' you with me foolish spache," he said regretfully. "I mint nothin' by it. 'Tis a great day for Michael Dennin, an' he's as gay as a lark."

(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)

The day may come when it may look back regretfully to the snug nest in the thornbush, but what does it reck of that when spring is in the air and youth in its blood, and the old hawk of trouble has not yet darkened the sunshine with the ill-boding shadow of its wings?

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

But I am afraid I don't, and Meg shook her head, as she thought regretfully of all the pretty things she wanted.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

All flushed and burning, she regretfully dismissed the conjured situation.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

“No coffee,” I said regretfully, passing her buttered sea-biscuits and a slice of canned tongue.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)