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
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.
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 Department of Health had said earlier that the decision by the EA was "highly regrettable".
From BBC • Mar. 27, 2026
The U.S. seems on track to remain the world’s premier engine of innovation and material progress despite a succession of presidents each of whom was regrettable in his own way.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 2026
There is so much to recommend to this movie — an excellent choice and a regrettable omission on our part.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 13, 2026
With an instinct for the regrettable that was almost uncanny, he invented chlorofluorocarbons, or CFCs.
From "A Short History of Nearly Everything" by Bill Bryson
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.
