noun
guilty pleasure
GIL-tee PLEZH-uh
Guilty pleasure (noun) means something a person enjoys a great deal while feeling faintly embarrassed about liking it, usually because it is seen as unfashionable, trashy or bad for them. Example: “Reality dating shows are my one guilty pleasure.”
noun
1
Something a person enjoys a great deal while feeling faintly embarrassed about liking it, usually because it is seen as unfashionable, trashy or bad for them.
"Reality dating shows are my one guilty pleasure."
"He calls supermarket cheesecake a guilty pleasure, then eats the whole thing."
How to use guilty pleasure
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething you love but feel a bit silly for loving.
When to use it
Neutral and very common in everyday speech and lifestyle writing.
Memory tip
The guilt is mild and often joking; nobody using this phrase is truly ashamed.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
my guilty pleasure
a guilty pleasure of mine
guilty pleasure playlist
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Reality dating shows are my one _____.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for guilty pleasure
See all rhymes for guilty pleasure →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a guilty pleasure and an addiction?
A guilty pleasure is a harmless enjoyment that carries a little social embarrassment; you could drop it any time and simply do not want to. An addiction involves loss of control and real damage to health, work or relationships.
Why do people call things guilty pleasures?
Because taste is treated as a signal of who we are. Naming something a guilty pleasure is a way of enjoying it while showing you know it is not considered sophisticated.
Is guilty pleasure always about food?
No. Music, television, books, video games and celebrity gossip are all described this way at least as often as food.
What is the meaning of guilty pleasure?
"guilty pleasure" (noun) means something a person enjoys a great deal while feeling faintly embarrassed about liking it, usually because it is seen as unfashionable, trashy or bad for them.
