- pity
- 1
noun
1 (it's a) pity spoken used to show that you are disappointed about something and you wish things could happen differently(+ (that)): Ralph's a really nice guy - pity he's not better looking. | It's a pity that Jan and George can't make it to the party. | Pity they didn't think of that earlier. | a pity to do sth: It seems a pity to waste it. | what a pity: “Did you know the concert was cancelled?” “No, what a pity.” | a great pity: There were very few locals at the meeting, which is a great pity.2 (U) sympathy for someone who is suffering or unhappy: London's homeless need more than pity - they need practical help. | Poor man, she thought with pity, he's given up.3 for pity's sake spoken used to show that you are very annoyed and impatient: For pity's sake just shut up and let me drive!4 take pity on to feel sorry for someone and do something to help them: We walked on through the pouring rain until a kind driver took pity on us.5 more's the pity spoken used after describing a situation, to show that you wish it was not true: The new staff are all women, more's the pity.6 have pity on formal to forgive someone or treat them sympathetically2 verb (transitive not usually in progressive) to feel sorry for someone because they are in a very bad situation: I pity anyone who has to feed a family on such a low income. | I pity Sophie having to live with that awful woman.
Longman dictionary of contemporary English. 2004.