full of regret, penitence, or pity
I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings
She felt sorry for the poor wretch
inspiring sorrow, pity, or scorn
He looked a sorry sight in his torn clothes
bad or regrettable
a sorry state of affairs
sorrily adv
sorriness noun
Old English sārig from sār sore1. The modern forms of the word may have developed through association with sorrow1