guilty
Feeling bad because you have done something wrong or think you have made a mistake. It is also used in a legal sense when a person is judged to have broken a law.
Examples
3 of 5I feel guilty because I forgot to call my mom on her birthday.
I feel guilty because I forgot to call my mom on her birthday.
The jury found the defendant guilty of all charges.
The jury found the defendant guilty of all charges.
Don't feel guilty, everyone makes mistakes sometimes!
Don't feel guilty, everyone makes mistakes sometimes!
Synonyms
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of a 'Gilt' (gold) frame. If you steal a gold frame, you will feel 'Guilty'.
Quick Quiz
Tom felt ______ after he ate his sister's chocolate without asking.
Correct!
The correct answer is: guilty
Examples
I feel guilty because I forgot to call my mom on her birthday.
everydayI feel guilty because I forgot to call my mom on her birthday.
The jury found the defendant guilty of all charges.
formalThe jury found the defendant guilty of all charges.
Don't feel guilty, everyone makes mistakes sometimes!
informalDon't feel guilty, everyone makes mistakes sometimes!
The study explores the psychological impact of feeling guilty in social situations.
academicThe study explores the psychological impact of feeling guilty in social situations.
The corporation pleaded guilty to the environmental violations.
businessThe corporation pleaded guilty to the environmental violations.
Synonyms
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
guilty pleasure
an activity you enjoy but feel a bit embarrassed about
guilty as sin
obviously or very clearly responsible for doing something wrong
look guilty
to have an expression that shows you have done something wrong
Often Confused With
Guilty is about what you did; ashamed is more about how you feel about yourself as a person.
Innocent is the direct opposite, meaning you did nothing wrong.
Usage Notes
Use 'guilty about' for emotions (e.g., guilty about eating cake) and 'guilty of' for crimes or specific actions (e.g., guilty of theft).
Common Mistakes
Learners often say 'I have guilty' when they should say 'I feel guilty' or 'I am guilty'.
Memory Tip
Think of a 'Gilt' (gold) frame. If you steal a gold frame, you will feel 'Guilty'.
Word Origin
Derived from the Old English word 'gyltig', which means responsible for a crime or debt.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In Western law, a person is 'innocent until proven guilty', meaning the state must prove they did the crime.
Quick Quiz
Tom felt ______ after he ate his sister's chocolate without asking.
Correct!
The correct answer is: guilty
Related Phrases
Related Vocabulary
More Emotions words
delighted
A1Delighted means being very happy and pleased about something. It is a stronger word than 'happy' and is used to show high levels of satisfaction or joy.
satisfied
A1Feeling happy or pleased because you have what you want or need. It is used to describe a person who is content with a result or a situation.
glad
A1Feeling pleasure, joy, or satisfaction about a specific situation or event. It is a common way to express happiness in response to news or a meeting.
excited
A1To feel very happy, energetic, and eager about something that is going to happen. It describes a positive emotion where you are looking forward to an event or activity.
thrilled
A1Thrilled describes a feeling of being extremely happy and excited. It is used when something very positive happens that makes you feel a sudden wave of delight.
enthusiastic
A1To be enthusiastic means showing intense and eager enjoyment, interest, or approval. It describes a person who is very excited and positive about something they are doing or a topic they like.
hopeful
A1A person who is hoping or trying to achieve a specific goal, such as getting a job or winning a competition. It is commonly used to describe someone who wants to succeed in politics, sports, or entertainment.
grateful
A1Feeling or showing thanks to someone for something they have done or given to you. It is used to express appreciation for help, kindness, or a positive situation.
enjoy
A1The feeling of pleasure and satisfaction that you get from an activity or experience. It describes the state of having a good time or liking something very much.
gentle
A1Describes someone or something that is kind, mild, and calm. It refers to a way of acting that is not rough, violent, or loud.
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