Entry 3 senses Webster, 1913 Sadly · Sad·ly · IPA /ˈsædli/ 01 adv. Wearily; heavily; firmly. 1. Wearily; heavily; firmly.[Obs.] “In go the spears full sadly in arest.” — Chaucer. 2. Seriously; soberly; gravely.[Obs.] “To tell thee sadly, shepherd, without blame Or our neglect, we lost her as we came.” — Milton. 3. Grievously; deeply; sorrowfully; miserably.