Entry 3 senses Webster, 1913 Sadness · Sad·ness · IPA /ˈsædnəs/ 01 n. Heaviness; firmness. 1. Heaviness; firmness.[Obs.] 2. Seriousness; gravity; discretion.[Obs.] “Her sadness and her benignity.” — Chaucer. 3. Quality of being sad, or unhappy; gloominess; sorrowfulness; dejection. “Dim sadness did not spare That time celestial visages.” — Milton. Syn. Sorrow; heaviness; dejection. See Grief.