Meaning & use

sorry

adjective·Everyday

Feeling regret, sympathy, or sadness about something, especially a mistake or someone else's misfortune.

See it in a sentence

I'm sorry for stepping on your foot in the crowded elevator.

She felt sorry for the stray dog shivering in the cold rain.

A note on using this word

Also used alone as a brief interjection to apologize, and informally as a mild put-down, as in 'a sorry excuse for an effort.'

Words with a similar meaning

regretfulapologetic

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Words with an opposite meaning

unrepentant

Another way to use it

2. interjection

Used to express an apology or to politely ask someone to repeat what they said.

Sorry, could you please say that last part again? I didn't quite catch it.

Make it your own

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