sorryadjective
uk/ˈsɒr.i/us/ˈsɔːr.i/sorry adjective (SAD)
A2 [ after verb ] feeling sadness, sympathy, or disappointment, especially because something unpleasant has happened or been done:
to feel sad because you have a problem and you feel that it is not fair that you are suffering so much:
used to show that something that must be said causes sadness or disappointment:
More examples
- I feel sorry for the kids, too - they've had a hard time.
- I was sorry to hear about your trouble on holiday.
- I feel so sorry for people in that situation.
- I'm just sorry about messing him around again.
- I'm sorry you're ill - I hope you get well soon.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Feeling sad and unhappy
- (down) in the dumps idiom
- a dog's life idiom
- a long face idiom
- abject
- be cut up idiom
- be down in the mouth idiom
- be in a funk idiom
- bruised
- distressed
- dog
- doleful
- dour
- miserably
- moody
- mope
- mope around (somewhere)
- morose
- mournful
- the doldrums
- wretched
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You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
sorry adjective (APOLOGY)
A1 [ after verb ] used to say that you wish you had not done what you have done, especially when you want to be polite to someone you have done something bad to:
More examples
- I'm sorry that I wasn't able to phone you yesterday.
- I'm sorry I'm late.
- I'm genuinely sorry for what I said, I really am.
- I'm sorry, I was only trying to be helpful.
- I'm so sorry to keep you waiting.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Making & accepting apologies
- absolution
- afraid
- atonement
- conciliate
- excusable
- excuse
- excuse/pardon my French! idiom
- forge
- forgiving
- make it up to sb idiom
- mend
- mend your fences idiom
- overlook
- pardon (me) idiom
- recompense
- reconcile
- repentant
- sink
- take sb back
- unrepentant
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sorry adjective (SAYING NO)
More examples
- I'm sorry, I totally disagree with you.
- I'm sorry, madam, the restaurant is fully booked.
- I'm sorry, madam, but we have to go by the rules.
- I'm sorry, but you'll just have to wait your turn like everybody else.
- I'm sorry, but I'm too busy to help you now - I can only do one thing at a time.
B2 used to show politeness when refusing something or disagreeing:
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Polite expressions
- actually
- after
- allow
- by all means idiom
- chance
- could
- disrespect
- don't mention it! idiom
- excuse
- forgive
- good
- honour
- might I ask/inquire/know idiom
- no problem idiom
- obliged
- pardon
- perhaps
- place
- pleasure
- welcome
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sorry adjective (BAD CONDITION)
a bad condition or situation:
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Informal words for bad
- badass
- bum
- crap
- crappy
- crash and burn idiom
- crook
- crud
- crummy
- duff
- lousy
- not be up to much idiom
- pappy
- piss-poor
- pisser
- shonky
- such as it is idiom
- tacky
- tawdry
- trashy
- wack
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sorryexclamation
uk/ˈsɒr.i/us/ˈsɔːr.i/sorry exclamation (APOLOGY)
used when apologizing for something:
More examples
- Sorry - I didn't catch what you said.
- Sorry, could you say that again?
- Sorry, this area is closed to the public.
- Sorry, I can't let you in without identification.
- Sorry, can I see your pass?
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Making & accepting apologies
- absolution
- afraid
- atonement
- conciliate
- excusable
- excuse
- excuse/pardon my French! idiom
- forge
- forgiving
- make it up to sb idiom
- mend
- mend your fences idiom
- overlook
- pardon (me) idiom
- recompense
- reconcile
- repentant
- sink
- take sb back
- unrepentant
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sorry exclamation (POLITE NEGATIVE)
used to show politeness when refusing something or disagreeing:
used when politely asking someone to repeat something or when politely interrupting someone:
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Polite expressions
- actually
- after
- allow
- by all means idiom
- chance
- could
- disrespect
- don't mention it! idiom
- excuse
- forgive
- good
- honour
- might I ask/inquire/know idiom
- no problem idiom
- obliged
- pardon
- perhaps
- place
- pleasure
- welcome
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