noun
guilt
gihlt
noun
1
The fact of having done something wrong; responsibility for an offense.
"The evidence pointed clearly to his guilt."
2
A troubled feeling of having done something wrong.
"She felt guilt for forgetting her friend's birthday."
"He was consumed by guilt after the argument."
verb
1
To make someone feel guilty, especially to influence their behaviour.
"Stop trying to guilt me into lending you money."
How to Use Guilt
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither being responsible for wrongdoing, or the bad feeling that comes from believing you've done something wrong.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "gilt" (a thin layer of gold) — they sound identical but are unrelated.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
feel guilt
guilt trip
pangs of guilt
guilt someone into
Word Forms
guilted past tense, guilted past tense, guilts plural, guilts singular, guilts singular
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The evidence pointed clearly to his _____.
Etymology
From Old English gylt ("guilt, offense, crime"), of uncertain further origin.