A1adjective 1K

Sorry

🇬🇧 UK /["/ˈsɒri/"]/ 🇺🇸 US /["/ˈsɑːri/"]/

Meaning of Sorry

feeling sad and ashamed about something that has been done

In simple words: A word used to express regret or apology.

Sorry in a sentence

• I'm really sorry for the mistake I made.
• He felt sorry for the stray dog in the rain.
• I'm sorry, but I can't attend the meeting.
• She was sorry to hear about his loss.
• They were sorry to leave their friends behind.

How to use Sorry

Use 'sorry' to apologize in casual and formal situations. It’s polite in conversations if you've made a mistake. Avoid overusing it in professional settings where you need to be more specific about the issue.

Grammar pattern

standalone apology

Memory hint

Think of 'sorrow' — when you're sorry, you often feel sad about what happened.

Related words

Collocations with Sorry

• be
• feel
• seem
• extremely
• fairly
• very
• about
• for
• be sorry to disappoint somebody
• be sorry to hear about something/​that…
• be sorry to interrupt (somebody/​something)
• be
• feel
• seem
• extremely
• fairly
• very
• about
• for
• be sorry to disappoint somebody
• be sorry to hear about something/​that…
• be sorry to interrupt (somebody/​something)
• be
• feel
• seem
• extremely
• fairly
• very
• about
• for
• be sorry to disappoint somebody
• be sorry to hear about something/​that…
• be sorry to interrupt (somebody/​something)

Synonyms for Sorry

• apologetic
• regretful
• remorseful
• contrite
• repentant

Opposites of Sorry

• happy
• unapologetic

Common mistakes with Sorry

• Using 'sorry' when it's not needed, making it seem insincere.
• Confusing 'sorry' with 'I'm sorry' — they can be used interchangeably, but 'I'm sorry' can sound more formal.
• Not using 'sorry' in situations where an apology is expected.

Frequently asked questions about Sorry

What does Sorry mean?

A word used to express regret or apology.

What is the definition of Sorry?

feeling sad and ashamed about something that has been done

How do you use Sorry in a sentence?

I'm really sorry for the mistake I made.

Can you give another example of Sorry?

He felt sorry for the stray dog in the rain.

What are synonyms for Sorry?

Common alternatives include apologetic, regretful, remorseful, contrite, repentant.

What is the opposite of Sorry?

Opposite meanings include happy, unapologetic.

What words go with Sorry?

It commonly pairs with be, feel, seem, extremely, fairly, very, about, for, be sorry to disappoint somebody, be sorry to hear about something/​that…, be sorry to interrupt (somebody/​something), be, feel, seem, extremely, fairly, very, about, for, be sorry to disappoint somebody, be sorry to hear about something/​that…, be sorry to interrupt (somebody/​something), be, feel, seem, extremely, fairly, very, about, for, be sorry to disappoint somebody, be sorry to hear about something/​that…, be sorry to interrupt (somebody/​something).

What are common mistakes when using Sorry?

Using 'sorry' when it's not needed, making it seem insincere. Confusing 'sorry' with 'I'm sorry' — they can be used interchangeably, but 'I'm sorry' can sound more formal. Not using 'sorry' in situations where an apology is expected.

How do you pronounce Sorry?

US: /["/ˈsɑːri/"]/, UK: /["/ˈsɒri/"]/. Listen to the audio above to hear native pronunciation.

When should I use Sorry?

Use 'sorry' to apologize in casual and formal situations. It’s polite in conversations if you've made a mistake. Avoid overusing it in professional settings where you need to be more specific about the issue.

What CEFR level is Sorry?

"Sorry" is at A1 level on the CEFR scale.