sorry

Sorry is a word in English that functions as an adjective and an interjection to express regret, apology, or sympathy. When used to apologize, it signals acknowledgment of harm or fault and invites forgiveness. As an interjection, it can precede a request or soften a statement, as in “Sorry to trouble you.” When used to express sympathy, it accompanies statements about someone’s misfortune, as in “Sorry to hear you weren’t feeling well.”

Etymology: Sorry derives from Old English sār, meaning sore or painful, related to sorrow. Through Middle English and Early Modern English, it broadened to cover distress and pity, and by the modern period became a common marker of regret and apology.

Usage and forms: The most common form is “I’m sorry” or “sorry” alone to apologize. “I apologize” is more formal and common in written or formal speech. “Sorry” can also preface a request (“Sorry to ask…”) but overuse or perfunctory apologies may undermine sincerity. The phrase “sorry” can express sympathy, as in responses to bad news.

Social aspects: Saying sorry is a politeness strategy used to repair social friction, convey remorse, or acknowledge another’s feelings. Cultural norms shape how readily people apologize, what counts as a sufficient apology, and whether “sorry” is used in lieu of other expressions such as “excuse me” or “pardon.”