# guilt

/ˈɡɪɫt/ (US) · /ɡˈɪlt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/guilt
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. feeling of regret

noun · CEFR B1

the unhappy feeling you get when you think you have done something wrong or hurt someone.

For teachers: the internal emotional state of remorse or self-reproach resulting from a perceived moral or social transgression.

- He felt a deep sense of guilt for forgetting his mother's birthday.
- The survivor was plagued by a persistent sense of guilt, questioning why he had escaped the accident while others had not.

### 2. legal responsibility

noun · CEFR B2

the fact of having broken a law or committed a crime.

For teachers: the state of being legally responsible for a specific offence, either through a court's verdict or a confession.

- The jury had to decide on the defendant's guilt or innocence.
- The prosecution struggled to establish the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, as the physical evidence remained largely circumstantial.

### 3. to make someone feel bad

verb · CEFR B2 · Informal

to make someone feel guilty so that they will do what you want.

For teachers: to induce a sense of remorse in another person, typically as a manipulative tactic to influence their actions.

- Don't let her guilt you into going to the party if you are tired.
- He tried to guilt his brother into lending him the money by reminding him of all the favours he had done in the past.

Usage: Often used with 'into' followed by a gerund.

## Examples

- He felt a lot of guilt after lying to his friend.
- The jury spent three days deliberating before they finally reached a verdict of guilt regarding the fraud charges.
- Psychologists distinguish between healthy remorse, which encourages social repair, and chronic guilt, which can lead to persistent anxiety and a diminished sense of self-worth.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.