Sŏr'ry, a.

adjective

a. [compar. SORRIER; superl. SORRIEST.] [O. Eng. sory, Scot. sary; allied to sorrow and sore. Cf. O. D. sorigh, curious, troublesome, sorrowful, and A.-S. sārig, sore, sorrowful.]

Sense 1. Grieved for the loss of some good; pained for some evil; lightly grieved or afflicted.

I am sorry for thee, friend; 'tis the duke's pleasure. Shak.

Sense 2. Melancholy; dismal. Spenser.

Sense 3. Poor; mean; vile; worthless; as, a sorry excuse. “Cheeks of sorry grain.” Milton.

Good fruit will sometimes grow on a sorry tree. W. Scott.

Sense 4. Unwilling; reluctant. [Obs.]

She entered, were he lief or sorry. Spenser.

Synonyms—Hurt; afflicted; mortified; vexed; chagrined; melancholy; dismal.