# regrettable

/ɹɪˈɡɹɛtəbəɫ/ (US) · /ɹɪɡɹˈɛtəbəl/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/regrettable
Updated: 2026-05-18

## Definition

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.

For teachers: 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.

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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.