sorry
sorry
Pronunciation
Here's a breakdown of the sounds by syllable:
sor-: /sɒr/
-ry: /i/
Word Form Variations
"Sorry" is primarily an adjective and an interjection, and as such, it doesn't have typical word form variations like singular/plural or different tenses in the same way nouns or verbs do.
Comparative: sorrier
Superlative: sorriest
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Adjective
Feeling or expressing regret, penitence, or sympathy.
Synonyms: apologetic, contrite, remorseful, rueful, regretful, sympathetic, pitying
Antonyms: unapologetic, unrepentant, unremorseful, unfeeling, indifferent
Of poor quality or condition; wretched or deplorable.
Synonyms: pathetic, lamentable, pitiable, dismal, woeful, regrettable
Antonyms: excellent, superb, admirable, commendable, fortunate, pleasing
Interjection
Used to express an apology, typically for a minor offense or mistake.
Synonyms: pardon me, excuse me, whoops, my bad (informal)
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms, as it's an expression of apology. One might use an expression of defiance or dismissal.)
Used to express polite disagreement, confusion, or to request a repetition of something said.
Synonyms: pardon?, excuse me?, what was that?
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms, as it's a clarification or mild disagreement. One might use an expression of clear understanding or agreement.)
Used to express sympathy or commiseration.
Synonyms: too bad, what a shame, my condolences
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms, as it's an expression of sympathy.)
Examples of Use
Books:
"I'm so sorry for your loss," Harry said, feeling a pang of genuine sorrow for Hagrid's disappointment. (J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, September 1998)
She felt a sudden urge to apologize, even though she wasn't entirely sorry for what she'd done. (Gillian Flynn, Gone Girl, June 2012)
Newspapers:
"We are truly sorry for the inconvenience caused by the power outage," a spokesperson for the utility company stated in yesterday's edition. (The Daily Nation)
The mayor issued a sorry apology, which many residents found insufficient given the gravity of the scandal. (The Guardian)
Online Publications:
"I'm sorry, but your request could not be processed at this time. Please try again later." (Error message on a banking website)
In a recent op-ed, the author argued, "It's a sorry state of affairs when basic healthcare is considered a luxury." (HuffPost)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: "I'm sorry, Dave. I'm afraid I can't do that." (HAL 9000 in 2001: A Space Odyssey, April 1968)
Television Series: "Are you sorry for what you did?" "More than you'll ever know." (The Crown, November 2016)
Music: "It's too late to say sorry now." (Justin Bieber, "Sorry," October 2015)
Video Games: "I'm sorry, hero, but your princess is in another castle!" (Super Mario Bros., September 1985)
Social Media (X, formerly Twitter): "Just spilled coffee all over my keyboard. So sorry to my IT department!" (@TechGeekPro, April 2025)
General Public Discourse:
"Oh, sorry! I didn't see you there." (Common utterance after a minor bump in a crowded place.)
"I'm sorry, but I disagree with your assessment." (Used to politely express dissent in a conversation.)
"That's a sorry excuse for an effort." (Used to describe something of poor quality or an inadequate attempt.)
10 Quotes Using Sorry
"Love means never having to say you're sorry." (Erich Segal, Love Story, 1970)
"I'm sorry, Dave. I'm afraid I can't do that." (HAL 9000, 2001: A Space Odyssey, 1968)
"I'm sorry if I was ever rude to anyone." (Kurt Cobain, Journals, 2002)
"It is a sorry thing to be a slave." (Frederick Douglass, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, 1845)
"I am sorry for the things I have done that have caused pain to others." (Martha Stewart, 2004)
"I'm sorry for my long letter; I didn't have time to write a short one." (Blaise Pascal, Lettres Provinciales, 1657)
"I'm not sorry for my art." (Lady Gaga, 2011)
"It's a sorry day when you're too afraid to say 'I'm sorry'." (Unknown)
"I'm sorry, but your princess is in another castle!" (Nintendo, Super Mario Bros., 1985)
"Never sorry for the truth." (Mike Tyson, 2017)
Etymology
The word "sorry" has a fascinating journey through time!
It comes from an Old English word, "sārig," which originally meant "distressed," "grieved," or "full of sorrow." Think of it as being "sore" in your feelings. So, the earliest meaning was about experiencing pain, but emotional pain, rather than physical.
Over time, that meaning of "distressed" or "sorrowful" evolved. By around the 13th or 14th century, "sorry" started to be used more specifically to mean "feeling regret or pity." This is closer to how we use it today when we apologize.
So, the very first idea behind "sorry" wasn't about saying "my bad!" but more about feeling deep sadness or anguish, like being "full of sorrow." It then gradually shifted to express regret for actions or sympathy for others.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Sorry
Here's a list of phrases and idioms using "sorry":
Sorry for your loss: A common expression of sympathy for someone who has experienced a death.
Sorry to bother you: Used as a polite apology before interrupting someone.
Sorry to hear that: An expression of sympathy or regret about unfortunate news.
Sorry not sorry: A sarcastic or defiant phrase meaning one doesn't regret their actions.
Sorry state of affairs: Describes a bad or deplorable situation.
Begging your pardon / Beg to differ: (Using a synonym, "pardon," for a similar effect of apology/disagreement) Used to politely disagree or apologize.
Feeling blue: (Using a synonym for "sorrowful" to convey a similar emotional state) Meaning to feel sad.
Sore loser: Someone who reacts poorly to losing.
Better safe than sorry: It's preferable to be careful and prepared than to regret a negative outcome.
Sorry excuse: A poor or inadequate reason or justification.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of sorry from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
