How Do You Spell SORRY?

Pronunciation: [sˈɒɹi] (IPA)

The word "sorry" is spelled with five letters, but the pronunciation is slightly more complicated. In IPA phonetic transcription, it is written as /ˈsɒri/, with the first syllable pronounced like "saw" and the second syllable pronounced with a short "i" sound, like the word "hit." The "o" in the first syllable is pronounced with a short "aw" sound, like the word "hot." Overall, the word "sorry" is pronounced as two short, crisp syllables.

SORRY Meaning and Definition

  1. Sorry is an adjective that conveys feelings of regret, remorse, or sympathy for an action or event. It is often used to express apology or to show concern for someone else's pain or suffering. The word "sorry" is derived from the Old English word "sarig," which means distressed or full of sorrow.

    In the context of apologizing, sorry implies acknowledging one's mistake or wrongful action with a sincere desire to make amends or seek forgiveness. It reflects a sense of personal responsibility for the negative consequences caused by one's actions. When used to express sympathy, sorry signifies a genuine understanding and compassion towards another person's pain, grief, or difficult circumstances.

    Being sorry implies a willingness to take corrective measures or show remorse for one's behavior or the pain caused. It is an admission of guilt or regret, demonstrating an understanding of the impact one's actions have had on others. "Sorry" can range from a simple acknowledgment and expression of regret to a heartfelt and profound apology, depending on the severity of the situation.

    While "sorry" is primarily used in interpersonal contexts, it can also be used to express regret for unfortunate events that are beyond one's control. For instance, saying sorry when someone is sick or experiencing hardship conveys a sense of empathy and compassion.

    Overall, sorry encapsulates the sentiment of regret, remorse, and compassion, often manifested through a sincere apology or expression of sympathy.

  2. Grieved for something past; poor; mean; worthless.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for SORRY *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for SORRY

Etymology of SORRY

The word "sorry" has its origins in Old English. It comes from the Old English word "sarig" which means "distressed, grieved, sorrowful". Over time, the spelling and pronunciation evolved into "sarie", "sori", and eventually "sorry". The original meaning of "sorry" referred to feeling sorrowful or regretful. Today, it primarily denotes an apology or an expression of regret.

Idioms with the word SORRY

  • sorry to say The idiom "sorry to say" is an expression used when someone wants to convey that they are regretful or apologetic about a particular statement or information they are about to share. It is often used as a precursor to something disappointing, unpleasant, or unfavorable.
  • sorry sight The idiom "sorry sight" refers to something or someone that is extremely unpleasant, pitiful, or disappointing to look at or witness. It commonly describes a situation or person that evokes feelings of sadness, sympathy, or disgust.
  • sorry to hear that The idiom "sorry to hear that" is a phrase used to express sympathy or condolence upon hearing about someone else's unfortunate or difficult circumstances. It signifies understanding and genuine concern for the person's situation.
  • a sorry state (of affairs) The idiom "a sorry state (of affairs)" refers to a situation or condition that is extremely unsatisfactory, disappointing, or unfortunate. It implies that the current state of affairs is in a bad or pitiful condition, often resulting from neglect, mismanagement, or unforeseen circumstances.
  • be in a sorry state The idiom "be in a sorry state" means to be in a condition or situation that is undesirable, miserable, or distressing. It implies that something or someone is in a state of disrepair, poor health, or misfortune.
  • sorry ’bout that The idiom "sorry 'bout that" is an informal way of apologizing for a mistake, inconvenience, or error one has caused. It is often used to acknowledge and express regret for unintentional or minor mishaps.
  • feel sorry for (someone) The definition of the idiom "feel sorry for (someone)" is to empathize or sympathize with someone's unfortunate situation, feeling a sense of compassion or pity towards them.
  • be sorry for (oneself) The idiom "be sorry for oneself" means to feel self-pity or show a strong sense of unhappiness or dissatisfaction with one's own situation. It implies that someone is constantly dwelling on their own problems or misfortunes rather than actively working towards solutions.
  • feel sorry for (oneself) The idiom "feel sorry for oneself" means to dwell on one's own problems or misfortunes and to pity oneself excessively. It is an expression used to describe someone who is self-absorbed and constantly focusing on their own difficulties instead of taking action or finding solutions.
  • be sorry for (someone) The idiom "be sorry for (someone)" means to feel empathy or sympathy towards someone, typically due to their suffering, misfortune, or difficulties. It implies that one feels compassion and wishes the person well, possibly offering support or understanding.
  • (Are you) sorry you asked? The idiom "(Are you) sorry you asked?" is used when someone regrets or feels disappointed about asking a question because they received an unexpected, undesired, or inconvenient answer. It suggests that the person now realizes that they would have been better off not knowing the answer or not asking the question at all.
  • (I'm) sorry. The idiom "(I'm) sorry" is an expression used to convey an apology or an acknowledgment of wrongdoing, regret, or sympathy for a mistake, offense, or inconvenience caused to someone else. It is a way of expressing remorse or a desire to make amends for one's actions.
  • Sorry I asked The idiom "Sorry I asked" is an expression used to convey regret or disappointment about asking a particular question. It implies that the response or answer received was either unpleasant, unexpected, embarrassing, or unwanted.
  • be/feel sorry for somebody The idiom "be/feel sorry for somebody" refers to having sympathy or compassion towards someone due to their misfortune or difficult situation. It means to feel empathy and a sense of pity towards another person.
  • You'll be sorry you asked The idiom "You'll be sorry you asked" is a phrase used to imply that asking a particular question or pursuing a certain topic will lead to regret or undesirable consequences. It suggests that the answer or information may be unpleasant, uncomfortable, or difficult to handle.
  • (I'm) sorry you asked (that). The idiom "(I'm) sorry you asked (that)" is commonly used to express regret or apology for a question that has been asked because the answer to it is unpleasant, uncomfortable, or difficult to articulate. It implies that the speaker wishes the question was never asked in the first place.
  • sorry about that The idiom "sorry about that" is an expression used to apologize or express regret for a mistake, inconvenience, or an unintended action that may have caused harm or inconvenience to someone.
  • better safe than sorry The idiom "better safe than sorry" means that it is wiser to take precautions or be cautious in order to prevent possible problems or harm, rather than regretting or experiencing negative consequences later. It emphasizes the importance of being careful and avoiding unnecessary risks.
  • it’s better to be safe than sorry The idiom "it’s better to be safe than sorry" means that it is wiser to take precautions or avoid risks in order to prevent any potential harm or regret in the future. It emphasizes the importance of being cautious and making choices that prioritize safety and security over potential negative consequences.
  • Better (be) safe than sorry. The idiom "Better (be) safe than sorry" is a phrase that means it is wiser to take precautions in order to avoid potential problems or regrets later on, rather than being careless and then facing negative consequences. It emphasizes the importance of being cautious and prioritizing safety over taking unnecessary risks.
  • Better (to be) safe than sorry. The idiom "Better (to be) safe than sorry" means that it is wiser or preferable to take precautions or be cautious in order to avoid potential harm or negative consequences, even if it might seem unnecessary or excessive at the time. It emphasizes the importance of being careful and avoiding regrets later on.
  • sorry you asked? The idiom "sorry you asked" is an expression used when someone regrets or feels sorry for having asked a question because the answer is disappointing, unpleasant, or inconvenient. It suggests that the response to the question is not what the person expected or wanted to hear, resulting in regret for bringing up the subject.
  • Sorry (that) I asked. The idiom "Sorry (that) I asked" is used to express regret or disappointment after asking a question that has received an undesired or unfavorable response. It implies that the person wishes they had not asked the question in the first place, often because the answer was unexpected or unwelcome.
  • be/feel sorry for yourself The idiom "be/feel sorry for yourself" refers to a situation where a person feels self-pity or exhibits an attitude of victimhood and sadness regarding their own circumstances or experiences. It implies that the person is dwelling on their problems rather than taking action or finding solutions.
  • feel sorry for yourself The idiom "feel sorry for yourself" means to indulge in self-pity or to have a strong sense of one's own misfortune or hardships, often without taking action to improve the situation. It refers to the act of wallowing in negative emotions and focusing on personal difficulties rather than finding solutions or moving forward.
  • (I'm) sorry to hear that,
  • I’m sorry
  • cut a fine, poor, sorry, etc. figure To "cut a fine, poor, sorry, etc. figure" means to present oneself in a particular manner, often referring to one's appearance or behavior. It can suggest that someone is making a good or bad impression based on how they look or act.
  • sorry-ass The idiom "sorry-ass" is used to describe someone or something as completely worthless, pitiful, or inadequate.
  • sorry-ass(ed) Sorry-ass(ed) is used to describe something or someone as very unpleasant, pitiful, or low-quality. It implies a sense of worthlessness or incompetence.
  • sorry-assed Sorry-assed is an informal expression used to describe something or someone who is considered worthless, inferior, or lacking in quality.
  • I’m sorry to say

Similar spelling words for SORRY