Emotions / B1

GILT-ee/ˈɡɪlti/

Guilty means having done something illegal or wrong, or feeling bad about it: find someone guilty; guilty of theft; a guilty conscience. Innocent is the legal opposite; ashamed is the feeling when you know you did wrong. Feel guilty about + -ing. Guilt is the noun. In court English: plead guilty / not guilty. Do not write “guilty for the crime” — use guilty of.

Meaning

Having done something illegal or wrong, or feeling bad about it.

Examples

• “The jury found him guilty of the crime.”
• “He pleaded guilty to a driving offence.”
• “She felt guilty about missing the meeting.”

Good to know

guilty of + crime. find someone guilty. feel guilty about. Noun: guilt. Legal opposite: innocent. Feeling: ashamed.

Near in meaning

culpable

Topics

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