guilt
gihlt
Guilt (noun) means the fact of having done something wrong; responsibility for an offense. Example: “The jury found no proof of his guilt, so he was released.”
noun
1
The fact of having done something wrong; responsibility for an offense.
"The jury found no proof of his guilt, so he was released."
"She admitted her guilt and apologised to the court."
"The evidence pointed clearly to his guilt."
2
A troubled feeling of having done something wrong.
"A wave of guilt hit him when he saw the broken vase."
"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.
"My aunt always tries to guilt us into visiting every Sunday."
"Don't let anyone guilt you into doing something you don't want to do."
"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.
Common pairings
feel guilt
guilt trip
pangs of guilt
guilt someone into
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Word forms
- Plural
- guilts
- Third person singular
- guilts
- Past tense
- guilted
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The jury found no proof of his _____, so he was released.
Etymology
From Old English gylt ("guilt, offense, crime"), of uncertain further origin.
Synonyms
View more →
remorse
shame
contrition
regret
self-reproach
fault
blameworthiness
culpability
guiltiness
noninnocence
uninnocence
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for guilt
See all rhymes for guilt →Frequently asked questions
What does “guilt” mean?
The word “guilt” means the fact of having done something wrong; responsibility for an offense. In plain terms, either being responsible for wrongdoing, or the bad feeling that comes from believing you've done something wrong.
How do you pronounce “guilt”?
“Guilt” is pronounced gihlt (/ɡɪlt/ in IPA).
How do you use “guilt” in a sentence?
Here is “guilt” used in a sentence: “The evidence pointed clearly to his guilt.”
What is another word for “guilt”?
Words with a similar meaning to “guilt” include blameworthiness, culpability, guiltiness, noninnocence and uninnocence.
What is the opposite of “guilt”?
The opposite of “guilt” — its antonyms — is innocence.
What part of speech is “guilt”?
Depending on how it is used, “guilt” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “guilt” come from?
The word “guilt” comes from Old English. From Old English gylt ("guilt, offense, crime"), of uncertain further origin.
Is “guilt” a common word?
“Guilt” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between "guilt" and "shame"?
Guilt is a troubled feeling that you have done something wrong, focused on a specific act, while shame is a painful feeling about who you are as a person. You feel guilt over an action, but shame about yourself.
What is the difference between "guilt" and "regret"?
Regret is feeling sorry that something happened, which can include events outside your control, while guilt specifically involves feeling responsible for having done wrong. You can regret a missed opportunity without feeling guilt.
What is the difference between the legal and emotional meanings of "guilt"?
Legally, "guilt" is the fact of having committed an offence and being responsible for it. Emotionally, it is the troubled inner feeling of having done wrong. A court establishes the first, while a person experiences the second.
What is the difference between "guilt" and "guile"?
Despite sounding similar, they are unrelated. "Guilt" is responsibility for wrongdoing or the feeling that follows it, while "guile" means cunning or sly deceit. A person may act with guile yet feel no guilt.
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