regrettable
Americanadjective
Other Word Forms
- regrettableness noun
- regrettably adverb
- unregrettable adjective
Etymology
Origin of regrettable
First recorded in 1595–1605; from Middle French regret(t)able; 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.
One of the most regrettable absences, as Mr. Sidebottom notes, is the paucity of material on the training of gladiators in their ludi, or schools.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026
It fully blamed ICE for this screwup, by the way, and stated unequivocally that “this regrettable error” had occurred because ICE counsel repeatedly gave DOJ lawyers false information.
From Slate • Mar. 27, 2026
The Afghan authorities called that "regrettable" and pointed to talks between the two sides and previous releases with mediators from Qatar.
From Barron's • Mar. 24, 2026
Cuba's deputy foreign minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío said the US had shown a "willingness" to cooperate on "clarifying these regrettable events".
From BBC • Feb. 26, 2026
When highly agitated, as she was now, Lord Fredrick’s young bride had a regrettable tendency to blow over anything in her path.
From "The Unseen Guest" by Maryrose Wood
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.
