sorry
SO-ree
Sorry (adj) means feeling regret or wanting to apologize for something one did. Example: “I'm sorry I forgot your birthday.”
adj
1
Feeling regret or wanting to apologize for something one did.
"I'm sorry I forgot your birthday."
"She felt sorry for shouting at her little brother."
"I'm truly sorry that I broke your favourite mug."
2
Feeling sad or sympathetic about a loss or misfortune.
"I was sorry to hear about your grandmother's passing."
"We are all sorry to hear that your dog is ill."
"I felt sorry for the man waiting in the rain."
3
Pitifully poor or inadequate.
"The team put in a sorry performance in the final."
"The garden was a sorry sight after the storm."
"He gave a sorry excuse for being late again."
interjection
1
Used to apologize or express regret.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to step on your foot."
"Sorry, I took your umbrella by mistake this morning."
"Oh, sorry, I didn't see you standing behind me there."
2
Especially British: used to politely ask someone to repeat what they said.
"Sorry? Could you say that again?"
"Sorry, what time did you say the train leaves?"
"Sorry, could you speak up a little, please?"
How to use sorry
Learner’s notes
Common mistake
Not historically related to "sorrow," even though the meanings overlap.
UK vs US
British speakers use "sorry?" very often to mean "pardon?" or "what did you say?" — Americans more often say "sorry?" too but "what?" or "excuse me?" are just as common.
Common pairings
I'm sorry
feel sorry for
a sorry state
sorry excuse
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like sorry.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- sorries, sorrys
- Third person singular
- sorries
- Past tense
- sorried
- Comparative
- sorrier
- Superlative
- sorriest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
I'm _____ I forgot your birthday.
Etymology
From Old English sarig ("feeling grief, sad"), related to "sore" rather than to "sorrow," despite the similar meanings.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for sorry
See all rhymes for sorry →Frequently asked questions
What does “sorry” mean?
The word “sorry” means feeling regret or wanting to apologize for something one did.
How do you pronounce “sorry”?
“Sorry” is pronounced SO-ree (/ˈsɑɹi/ in IPA).
How do you use “sorry” in a sentence?
Here is “sorry” used in a sentence: “I'm sorry I forgot your birthday.”
What part of speech is “sorry”?
Depending on how it is used, “sorry” can be an adjective and an interjection.
Where does the word “sorry” come from?
The word “sorry” comes from Old English. From Old English sarig ("feeling grief, sad"), related to "sore" rather than to "sorrow," despite the similar meanings.
Is “sorry” a common word?
“Sorry” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “sorry” have?
“Sorry” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: feeling regret or wanting to apologize for something one did.
What is the difference between 'sorry' and 'apologize'?
'Sorry' is an adjective describing the feeling of regret; 'apologize' is the verb for expressing it. You feel sorry, then you apologize to say so out loud. Saying 'I'm sorry' is itself a short, direct apology, which is exactly why the two words are so closely linked in everyday speech.
Does saying 'sorry' always mean admitting fault?
Not always. 'Sorry' can express genuine regret for something you did, but it's also used for sympathy — 'I'm sorry for your loss' — where no blame is involved at all. Tone and context decide whether it functions as an apology or simply as an expression of compassion for someone.
What is the difference between feeling sorry and feeling guilty?
Guilt is the sense that you did something wrong. Feeling sorry adds regret that it happened and often a wish to make it right. You can feel sorry without guilt — for bad luck or someone's misfortune — but a sincere apology usually blends both regret and some acknowledgment of fault.
Is 'sorry' formal or informal?
'Sorry' works almost everywhere but leans casual. In formal writing or serious situations, 'I apologize' or 'please accept my apologies' carries more weight. In everyday conversation, 'sorry' is the natural, friendly choice for small mistakes and quick apologies. Match the word's formality to how serious the situation actually is.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include sorry:
