Emotions / B1

GILT/ɡɪlt/

Guilt is the fact of having done wrong, or the unhappy feeling afterwards (often uncountable). Guilty is the adjective (already in the dictionary). Blame is related; shame is more about how you look to others. Admit guilt; a sense of guilt. First hearings: he admitted guilt.

Meaning

The fact of having done something wrong; also the unhappy feeling after it (often uncountable).

Examples

• “He admitted guilt at the first hearing to shorten the case.”
• “She felt guilt about the missed shift, which is the feeling, not the verdict.”

Good to know

admit guilt; a sense of guilt (often uncountable). Adjective: guilty. Feeling twin: shame. Court: admit guilt. Not “guilts”.

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