adjective
contrite
kuhn-TRYT
Contrite (adjective) means Genuinely sorry and remorseful about something one has done wrong. Example: “He gave a contrite apology after realizing how much he had hurt her.”
adjective
1
Genuinely sorry and remorseful about something one has done wrong.
"He gave a contrite apology after realizing how much he had hurt her."
"She looked contrite, but he wasn't sure if she meant it."
How to use contrite
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTruly sorry, showing real regret for something you did.
Common mistake
Contrite implies genuine, deep remorse — stronger than simply saying "sorry" out of politeness.
Common pairings
contrite apology
a contrite tone
genuinely contrite
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Word forms
- Plural
- contrites
- Comparative
- more contrite
- Superlative
- most contrite
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He gave a _____ apology after realizing how much he had hurt her.
Etymology
From Old French contrit, from Latin contritus ("ground to pieces"), the past participle of conterere ("to grind, bruise") — literally, someone "worn down" by guilt.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for contrite
See all rhymes for contrite →Frequently asked questions
What does “contrite” mean?
The word “contrite” means genuinely sorry and remorseful about something one has done wrong. In plain terms, truly sorry, showing real regret for something you did.
How do you pronounce “contrite”?
“Contrite” is pronounced kuhn-TRYT (/kənˈtɹaɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “contrite” in a sentence?
Here is “contrite” used in a sentence: “He gave a contrite apology after realizing how much he had hurt her.”
What part of speech is “contrite”?
“Contrite” is an adjective.
Where does the word “contrite” come from?
The word “contrite” comes from Latin. From Old French contrit, from Latin contritus ("ground to pieces"), the past participle of conterere ("to grind, bruise") — literally, someone "worn down" by guilt.
