As a Noun: 1. The feeling you have for someone because they are unlucky or unfortunate and you feel sad for them. English = pity, sympathy, compassion. As a Verb or Adjective: 1. To be unlucky and to make other people feel sorry for you. English = (be) poor, (be) unfortunate, (be) pitied. 2. To feel sorry for someone because they are unlucky or unfortunate. English = pity, sympathise, (be) sympathetic, (be) compassionate. Interactive: 1. Used alone to show sympathy towards someone when something unfortunate and unpleasant has happened to them. English = 'You poor thing!'