First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
guilt
noun \ˈgilt\
: responsibility for a crime or for doing something bad or wrong
: a bad feeling caused by knowing or thinking that you have done something bad or wrong
Full Definition of GUILT
1
: the fact of having committed a breach of conduct especially violating law and involving a penalty; broadly : guilty conduct
2
a : the state of one who has committed an offense especially consciously b : feelings of culpability especially for imagined offenses or from a sense of inadequacy : self-reproach
3
: a feeling of culpability for offenses
See guilt defined for English-language learners
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Origin of GUILT
Middle English, delinquency, guilt, from Old English gylt delinquency
Related to GUILT
- Synonyms
- contriteness, contrition, penitence, regret, remorse, remorsefulness, repentance, rue, self-reproach, shame
- Antonyms
- impenitence, remorselessness
GUILT Defined for Kids
guilt
noun \ˈgilt\
Definition of GUILT for Kids
1
: responsibility for having done something wrong and especially something against the law <He admitted his guilt.>
2
: a feeling of shame or regret as a result of bad conduct
— guilt·less \-ləs\ adjective
Medical Dictionary
guilt
noun \ˈgilt\
Medical Definition of GUILT
: feelings of culpability especially for imagined offenses or from a sense of inadequacy : morbid self-reproach often manifest in marked preoccupation with the moral correctness of one's behavior <aggressive responses originating in inner guilt and uncertainty>
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