guilt

American  

[gilt] / gɪlt /

noun

1. the fact or state of having committed an offense, crime, violation, or wrong, especially against moral or penal law; culpability.

   He admitted his guilt.

   Antonyms:

   innocence

2. a feeling of responsibility or remorse for some offense, crime, wrong, etc., whether real or imagined.

3. conduct involving the commission of such crimes, wrongs, etc..

   to live a life of guilt.

   Synonyms:

   criminality

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verb (used with object)

Informal.

1. to cause to feel guilty (often followed by out orinto ).

   She totally guilted me out, dude. He guilted me into picking up the tab.

guilt British  

/ ɡɪlt /

noun

1. the fact or state of having done wrong or committed an offence

2. responsibility for a criminal or moral offence deserving punishment or a penalty

3. remorse or self-reproach caused by feeling that one is responsible for a wrong or offence

4. archaic  sin or crime

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Other Word Forms

• nonguilt noun
• preguilt noun

Etymology

Origin of guilt

First recorded before 1000; Middle English gilt, Old English gylt “offense”

Example Sentences

"I think the guilt that eats me and my partner up, as well as other families of SMA, is massive," Rosie says.

From BBC

It found women frequently reported feelings of isolation and guilt following miscarriage stemming from social stigma and inadequate support.

From BBC

"As far as we know, the resignation has got nothing to do with admission of guilt or the organisation finding her guilty," said another party official, Magasela Mzobe.

From Barron's

"The level of shame and guilt, it is like grieving for someone who's not dead," Matt said.

From BBC

Some children are overwhelmed when they learn the news, while others feel guilt.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• culpability
• disgrace
• indiscretion
• liability
• regret
• remorse
• responsibility
• shame
• sin
• stigma