sorry

American  

[sor-ee, sawr-ee] / ˈsɒr i, ˈsɔr i /

adjective

sorrier, sorriest

1. feeling regret, compunction, sympathy, pity, etc..

   to be sorry to leave one's friends; to be sorry for a remark; to be sorry for someone in trouble.

   Synonyms:

   pitying, sympathetic, regretful

   Antonyms:

   happy

2. regrettable or deplorable; unfortunate; tragic.

   a sorry situation; to come to a sorry end.

3. sorrowful, grieved, or sad.

   Was she sorry when her brother died?

   Synonyms:

   depressed, unhappy

4. associated with sorrow; suggestive of grief or suffering; melancholy; dismal.

   Synonyms:

   painful, mournful, grievous

5. wretched, poor, useless, or pitiful.

   a sorry horse.

   Synonyms:

   worthless, paltry, contemptible, abject, shabby

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interjection

1. (used as a conventional apology or expression of regret).

   Sorry, you're misinformed. Did I bump you? Sorry.

sorry British  

/ ˈsɒrɪ /

adjective

1. feeling or expressing pity, sympathy, remorse, grief, or regret

   I feel sorry for him

2. pitiful, wretched, or deplorable

   a sorry sight

3. poor; paltry

   a sorry excuse

4. affected by sorrow; sad

5. causing sorrow or sadness

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interjection

1. an exclamation expressing apology, used esp at the time of the misdemeanour, offence, etc

sorry Idioms  

1. see better safe than sorry.

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Related Words

See wretched.

Other Word Forms

• sorrily adverb
• sorriness noun
• unsorry adjective

Etymology

Origin of sorry

First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English sārig; cognate with Low German sērig, Old High German sērag. See sore, -y ¹

Example Sentences

Director of cricket Rob Key says he is "gutted, disappointed and sorry" regarding England's dismal Ashes performance - the series having been lost with two Tests still to play.

From BBC

“I’m very sorry that you have to change your plans,” the “Mandy” singer wrote in a statement posted to Instagram on Monday revealing his diagnosis.

From Los Angeles Times

I’ve never been sorry that I changed my mind that day.

From Los Angeles Times

I didn’t want people feeling sorry for me, or looking at me differently or, worse, treating me differently.

From Los Angeles Times

In early May, Diane was making her way home, when a voicemail from a friend popped up on her phone: “I’m just so sorry, I’m here for you if you need anything,” the message said.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• apologetic
• contrite
• regretful
• remorseful
• touched