sore·ly adverb Etymology: Middle English sarly, sorly, soorly, from Old English sārlīce, from sārlīc, adjective, grievous, sad, painful, from sār sore + -līc -ly — more at sore : in a sore manner: as a.: painfully, grievously < sorely vexed > b.: severely, violently < sorely exerted > c.: extremely < sorely tired >