- Enter a word for the dictionary definition. From The
Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48: Sorry
\Sor"ry\, a. [Compar. Sorrier; superl. Sorriest.] [OE. sory,
sary, AS. s[=a]rig, fr. s[=a]r, n., sore. See Sore, n. & a. The
original sense was, painful; hence, miserable, sad.] 1. Grieved
for the loss of some good; pained for some evil; feeling regret;
-- now generally used to express light grief or affliction, but
formerly often used to express deeper feeling. "I am sorry for
my sins." --Piers Plowman. [1913 Webster] Ye were made sorry
after a godly manner. --2 Cor. vii. 9. [1913 Webster] I am sorry
for thee, friend; 't is the duke's pleasure. --Shak. [1913
Webster] She entered, were he lief or sorry. --Spenser. [1913
Webster] 2. Melancholy; dismal; gloomy; mournful. --Spenser.
[1913 Webster] All full of chirking was this sorry place.
--Chaucer. [1913 Webster] 3. Poor; mean; worthless; as, a sorry
excuse. "With sorry grace." --Chaucer. [1913 Webster] Cheeks of
sorry grain will serve. --Milt