Definition of "sorry" in English

adjective

1. (of a person) Regretful or apologetic for one's actions.

   • I am sorry I stepped on your toes. It was an accident.

2. (of a person) Grieved or saddened, especially by the loss of something or someone.

   • I feel sorry for you, about your exam results.
   • The President was sorry to hear that the Ambassador was leaving.

3. Poor, pitifully sad or regrettable.

   • The storm left his garden in a sorry state.

4. Pathetic; contemptibly inadequate.

   • Bob is a sorry excuse for a football player.

interjection

1. Expresses regret, remorse, or sorrow.

   • Sorry! I didn't see that you were on the phone.
   • Sorry about yesterday. — No worries.
   • Sorry I’m so late.

2. Said as a request to excuse one's unintentional behaviors.

   • Oops! Sorry!

3. Said as a request to pass somebody.

   • Sorry! Coming through!

4. Used as a request for someone to repeat something not heard or understood clearly.

   • Sorry? What was that? The phone cut out.

5. Used to correct oneself in speech.

   • There are four—sorry, five—local branches of the store.

6. Used as a hedge.

   • Sorry, but I don't care what you think.

noun

1. The act of saying sorry; an apology.

verb

1. (intransitive, transitive, rare) To feel sorry (for someone).