regret
rih-GREHT
Regret (verb) means to feel sorry about something that happened, or wish it had gone differently. Example: “He deeply regretted saying those words in anger.”
verb
1
To feel sorry about something that happened, or wish it had gone differently.
"He deeply regretted saying those words in anger."
"I regret not asking for her number when I had the chance."
"We regret to tell you that the train has been cancelled."
noun
1
A feeling of sadness or disappointment about something in the past.
"She looked back on her twenties with a mix of nostalgia and regret."
"He felt deep regret that he had never learned to play the piano."
"To my great regret, I missed the last day of the festival."
2
A polite refusal, especially a note declining an invitation.
"Please send your regrets if you cannot attend the wedding."
"She sent her regrets to the hosts because she had a prior engagement."
"The invitation said, "Regrets only", so nobody replied unless they could not come."
How to use regret
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo feel bad about something you did or didn't do, wishing it had been different.
Common mistake
"I regret to inform you" is a set formal phrase for delivering bad news politely — it doesn't always mean the speaker feels personal remorse.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
regret a decision
no regrets
live to regret
send regrets
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Word forms
- Plural
- regrets
- Third person singular
- regrets
- Past tense
- regretted
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
I _____ not asking for her number when I had the chance.
Etymology
From Old French regreter, "to lament, mourn," probably ultimately from a Germanic root meaning "to weep."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for regret
See all rhymes for regret →Frequently asked questions
What does “regret” mean?
The word “regret” means to feel sorry about something that happened, or wish it had gone differently. In plain terms, to feel bad about something you did or didn't do, wishing it had been different.
How do you pronounce “regret”?
“Regret” is pronounced rih-GREHT (/ɹɪˈɡɹɛt/ in IPA).
How do you use “regret” in a sentence?
Here is “regret” used in a sentence: “He deeply regretted saying those words in anger.”
What part of speech is “regret”?
Depending on how it is used, “regret” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “regret” come from?
The word “regret” comes from Old French. From Old French regreter, "to lament, mourn," probably ultimately from a Germanic root meaning "to weep.".
Is “regret” a common word?
“Regret” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “regret” have?
“Regret” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to feel sorry about something that happened, or wish it had gone differently.
What is the difference between regret and remorse?
Regret is a feeling of sadness or disappointment about something in the past, and it can apply to anything from a missed holiday to a poor decision. Remorse is stronger and more specific: deep guilt over a wrong you committed, usually one that harmed someone else.
Is it "regret doing" or "regret to do"?
Use regret + -ing for something that has already happened: "I regret saying that." Regret + to is used in formal announcements of bad news being delivered now: "We regret to inform you that your application was unsuccessful."
What is the difference between regret and repent?
To regret is to feel sorry about something and wish it had gone differently. To repent is to feel such sorrow for wrongdoing that you resolve to change, and the word carries strong moral or religious overtones that "regret" lacks.
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