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guilt
[ gilt ]
/ gɪlt /
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noun
the fact or state of having committed an offense, crime, violation, or wrong, especially against moral or penal law; culpability: He admitted his guilt.
a feeling of responsibility or remorse for some offense, crime, wrong, etc., whether real or imagined.
conduct involving the commission of such crimes, wrongs, etc.: to live a life of guilt.
verb (used with object) Informal.
to cause to feel guilty (often followed by out or into): She totally guilted me out, dude. He guilted me into picking up the tab.See also guilt-trip.
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THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?
Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.
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In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…
Origin of guilt
before 1000; Middle English gilt,Old English gylt offense
OTHER WORDS FROM guilt
non·guilt, nounpre·guilt, nounWords nearby guilt
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use guilt in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for guilt
guilt
/ (ɡɪlt) /
noun
the fact or state of having done wrong or committed an offence
responsibility for a criminal or moral offence deserving punishment or a penalty
remorse or self-reproach caused by feeling that one is responsible for a wrong or offence
archaic sin or crime
Word Origin for guilt
Old English gylt, of obscure origin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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