regrettable
Americanadjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of regrettable
First recorded in 1595–1605; from Middle French regret(t)able; see regret, -able
Explanation
Regrettable describes things that make you feel sorry. Letting your sister borrow your own snow shovel became a regrettable decision the moment the big storm started. Actions and events are regrettable if they result in feelings of regret, or if they're unwelcome or undesirable. Wearing your least comfortable shoes on a walking tour of Paris will be a regrettable choice if blisters form on your toes. Remember, regrettable describes things like decisions, actions or words. Regretful is for describing people and feelings that express regret.
Vocabulary lists containing regrettable
The Magician's Nephew
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Spelling Practice 1, Unit 1
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Still, Rabat called the crisis "regrettable" and said the events warranted "a thorough examination" to establish their circumstances and "ensure that they do not happen again".
From Barron's ● Sep. 10, 2026
Chief executive David Ritchie called the losses "regrettable and disappointing", but said he was determined to demonstrate that a "commercially disciplined development bank can deliver for Scotland".
From BBC ● Aug. 24, 2026
Last year’s student-loan reforms were a good start, but the regrettable reality is they didn’t go nearly far enough.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 21, 2026
But the regrettable reality is that those users would have likely switched to other apps or video games.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 16, 2026
Poems were too close to prayer, rousing regrettable passions.
From "The Underground Railroad: A Novel" by Colson Whitehead
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
