English · Emotions & Feelings
guilt
/ɡɪlt/
[/ɡɪlt/]
feeling of wrongdoing
Intermediatenoun
Definition
An unhappy feeling caused by knowing you have done something wrong.
Example
He felt a stab of guilt for forgetting his friend's birthday yet again this year.
He felt a stab of guilt for forgetting his friend's birthday yet again this year.
Etymology
From Old English 'gylt', meaning a crime or sin, of obscure origin.
How & Where It’s Used
Describes the emotion and, legally, responsibility for a crime.