sorry

sorry Definition

sorry (sär′ē, sôr′ē)

adjective -·rier, -·ri·est

full of sorrow, pity, or sympathy: also used as an expression of apology or mild regret
1. inferior in worth or quality; poor a sorry exhibit
2. wretched; miserable a sorry tenement

Etymology: ME sorie < OE sarig < sar, sore

sorry Related Forms

sor′·rily adverb sor′·ri·ness noun

sorry Synonyms

modif.

Penitent
contrite, repentant, conscience-stricken, remorseful, conscience-smitten, regretful, compunctious, touched, self-accusing, melted, sorrowful, apologetic, self-condemnatory, softened.
Inadequate in quantity or quality
poor, paltry, trifling, cheap, mean, shabby, scrubby, stunted, small, trivial, unimportant, beggarly, insignificant, dismal, pitiful, worthless, despicable; see also inadequate 1.
Antonyms plentiful*, adequate, enough.
Sad
grieved, mournful, melancholy; see sad 1.

sorry Usage Examples

Preposition: that

Modifies a noun

sir: Waiter: I'm very sorry sir, we'll offer you a full refund.
saga: The sorry saga that has surrounded the building of a new stadium has dragged on for too long.
mate: I turned and said, sorry mate, I'm off.
mess: However, there can be no doubt that the sorry mess was compounded by revolutionaries in Russia.
tale: Labor's stewardship of the countryside has been a sorry tale of indifference, neglect and contempt.
ass: Despite the late night last night, I actually managed to raise my sorry ass out of bed at a respectable hour.

Modifying Another Word

terribly: Traveler: I'm terribly sorry, I seem to have lost it. or Yes, of course.
awfully: I am awfully sorry you can't come over before the event but you certainly must come after.

Infinitive complement

disappoint: The Sun quotes Ryan as saying: " I am gutted and very sorry to disappoint our fans.
hear: I was sorry to hear he had a poor response.
interrupt: Mr. Prisk: I am sorry to interrupt the flow of my hon.
rant: Sorry to rant but hard labor's too soft a penalty for the culprits.
say: Sorry to say Wife & I in poor way.
ramble: Anyway, sorry to ramble on at such length.

Used with adjective complement

feel: Looking in the mirror I felt very sorry for myself.
say: I can't say sorry ' cause I don't feel wrong, do you want me to lie to myself?

Preposition: for

inconvenience: In the meantime we are sorry for any inconvenience caused to you whilst we carry out these alterations.
delay: I am sorry for the delay in responding to you.
confusion: We are sorry for any confusion and mistrust we may have inadvertently caused.

sorry Quotes

What a polite game tennis is. The chief word in it seems to be 'sorry'and admiration of each other's play crosses the net as frequently as the ball.

—Barrie, SirJ(ames) M(atthew)

Love means not ever having to say you're sorry.

—Segal, Erich

I never saw a wild thing Sorry for itself.

—Lawrence, D(avid) H(erbert)

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