Sorry Meaning
Sorry Definition & Usage
Used to express a feeling of regret or apology for an action or situation.
Examples
- "I'm sorry for being late to the meeting."
- "She was so sorry about forgetting his birthday."
- "Sorry, I didn't mean to hurt your feelings."
- "I'm sorry I broke your phone; I'll pay for the repairs."
- "He looked at her with a sorry expression, realizing his mistake."
Used to express sympathy or pity for someone else's misfortune or discomfort.
Examples
- "I’m so sorry to hear about your loss."
- "She was sorry to see him leave the company."
- "He felt sorry for the people affected by the hurricane."
- "They were sorry to hear that she was ill."
- "I’m sorry you had to go through that experience alone."
Used to describe something unfortunate, undesirable, or disappointing.
Examples
- "The weather today is really sorry—it’s been raining all day."
- "That’s a sorry excuse for a dinner party."
- "His performance in the game was nothing short of sorry."
- "The food at that restaurant was sorry—definitely not coming back."
- "They had a sorry start to the season, losing three games in a row."
Cultural Context
The word 'sorry' has its roots in Old English and has evolved over centuries to express various forms of regret, sympathy, and pity. It is one of the most commonly used terms in English-speaking cultures, often appearing in both formal and informal situations. In British English, 'sorry' is often used more frequently than in American English, especially in casual contexts where Americans might use more direct phrases like 'excuse me' or 'my bad.'
The Apology That Heals
Story
The Apology That Heals
Tom had never been the best at saying sorry. It wasn't that he didn't feel bad when he made mistakes; he just never knew the right words to express it. His heart sank as he stood in front of Sarah, the colleague he'd accidentally insulted in the meeting earlier that day. She had looked stunned when he made the comment, and even though Tom didn't mean it in a hurtful way, he could tell he’d crossed a line. 'Look, Sarah, I’m really sorry,' Tom started, his voice shaky. 'I didn't mean what I said earlier. It was completely out of line.' Sarah looked up from her desk, eyes softening. She had been working late, and the stress had already worn her down. 'It’s okay, Tom. I know you didn’t mean it,' she replied, but there was still a tinge of sadness in her eyes. 'I just... it wasn’t the best way to start the meeting.' Tom nodded, his face turning a shade of red. He felt sorry, not just because of his words, but because he realized how much he had taken for granted the efforts Sarah put into her work. He had noticed how tired she’d been lately but hadn’t stopped to ask if everything was okay. Now, as he watched her pick up the pieces of their conversation, he felt an overwhelming need to make things right. 'I'm really sorry for not checking in with you earlier,' he added. 'I should have noticed that you were struggling.' Sarah gave a small smile, which felt like a warm light breaking through the clouds. 'Thank you, Tom. I appreciate that. It’s just been one of those weeks.' As Tom turned to leave her office, he couldn't help but feel a shift inside. Saying 'sorry' had always seemed like an easy out, a way to brush off discomfort. But this time, it felt like more. He was not just apologizing for a mistake; he was acknowledging her feelings, the weight of the situation, and the effort needed to move forward. As he walked away, he reflected on how his simple words had mended a small rift and how, sometimes, the most powerful thing you could offer someone was an apology.
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