What does sorely mean?
Sorely is an adverb meaning greatly, severely, or to an intense degree. It is especially useful when describing something that is urgently needed, painfully absent, keenly felt, or experienced with serious hardship. A community can be sorely in need of medical care, a person can be sorely missed, and a decision can be sorely regretted. The word has a formal, somewhat literary tone and often conveys more emotional weight than a simple intensifier such as very. Although it can describe a great degree generally, its most characteristic uses involve difficulty, want, regret, distress, or a strongly felt absence. Its history connects it with sorrow, reflecting its association with serious and painful conditions. Today, it remains especially effective in formal writing and in contexts where the intensity or gravity of a situation needs emphasis.
adverbTo a great extent or degree; severely. It often describes a need, lack, regret, or effect that is intense and deeply felt.
- To a great extent or degree; severely.
- With regret, hardship, or distress; keenly.
"The provisions they had requested were sorely needed."
"Many rural communities are sorely in need of reliable medical care."
"She was sorely missed after her sudden death."
Sorely began as an intensified form of sorrow; today it sharpens the force of needs, regrets, and losses.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does sorely come from?
Sorely developed in Middle English from sorrow with the suffix -ly, originally expressing a condition of great sorrow or distress. Sorrow itself continues the Old English word sorg, while the related adjective sorry developed from the Old English sōrig, meaning sorrowful or painful. These forms belong to a wider Germanic family whose members express sorrow, pain, or distress.
How sorely is actually used
Sorely is more formal and literary than words such as very or greatly. It commonly implies a serious deficiency, hardship, regret, or strongly felt loss, rather than mere intensity.
Easily confused with sorely
Sorry expresses regret, apology, or distress, whereas sorely means greatly or severely and often modifies a need, lack, regret, or effect.