Word
regrettable
Phoneticsre·gret·table
US/ɹɪˈɡɹɛtəbəɫ/
UK/ɹɪɡɹˈɛtəbəl/
Definition
adj. causing a feeling of sadness or disappointment because it is bad or wrong. You use this to describe a situation that you wish had not happened.
adj. causing or deserving of regret; expressing a feeling of sorrow or disappointment. Often used to describe events or circumstances that are unfortunate or undesirable.
Examples
“The company issued a regrettable apology for the mistake.”
“It was a regrettable situation that led to the cancellation of the entire project just weeks before the deadline.”
“While the decision was necessary to ensure long-term stability, it was a regrettable loss for the local community that had relied on the facility for decades.”
Examples
simple
“The company issued a regrettable apology for the mistake.”
contextual
“It was a regrettable situation that led to the cancellation of the entire project just weeks before the deadline.”
complex
“While the decision was necessary to ensure long-term stability, it was a regrettable loss for the local community that had relied on the facility for decades.”
Real-World Examples
“It’s a regrettable reality that there is never enough time to cover all the interesting scientific stories we come across.” “Mitchell described the response as "regrettable and very unfortunate".” Etymology
From regret + -able.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/regrettable