Sorry etc about one on track (8)
I believe the answer is:
pathetic
'sorry' is the definition.
(thesaurus)
I don't understand the rest of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for pathetic that I've seen before include "Touching and pitiful" , "Sad - hopeless" , "Inspiring pity, contempt" , "Poignant or hopelessly inadequate" , "Derisory" .)