sorry

/ˈsɒri/

apologetic expression

I'm sorry for being late.

I apologize for arriving late.

informal

feeling remorse or expressing an apology

She said sorry when she knocked over the vase.

She apologized after breaking the vase.

Can be used to preface a request or to acknowledge a mistake.

Collocations

I'm sorrya direct apologySorry aboutapologizing for a specific issueSorry forexpressing regret for an action

polite way to get someone's attention

From Old English *sarig* meaning ‘sorrowful’, related to *sorrow*.

In formal writing, use 'I apologize' instead of 'sorry'. In spoken English, 'sorry' softens requests and can be used to get attention.

English Dictionary