1 (predic.) pained or regretful or penitent (were sorry for what they had done; am sorry that you have to go).
2 (predic.; foll. by for) feeling pity or sympathy for (a person).
3 as an expression of apology.
4 wretched; in a poor state (a sorry sight).
Phrases and idioms:
sorry for oneself dejected.
Derivatives:
sorrily adv. sorriness n.
Etymology: OE sarig f. WG (as SORE, -Y(2))
Useful english dictionary. 2012.