WordGarden.ioguilty
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /ɡˈɪlti/
US
- /ˈɡɪlti/
Meanings
Adjective
legally responsible for a crime or offense
morally blameworthy for doing something wrong
feeling, showing, or associated with remorse or shame
Beyond the definition
To be guilty means to have done something wrong, such as breaking a rule, committing a crime, or hurting someone's feelings. It is more than just making a mistake; it suggests real responsibility and often brings shame or regret. A jury might find someone "guilty" in court, but you can also feel guilty about something even if no one else knows you did it. Think of a child with chocolate on their face after sneaking a treat; they look guilty. Or think of a friend who lets out a secret and then feels guilty for breaking trust.
The word comes from Old English and was linked to ideas like "crime" or "fault." That history fits the modern meaning well: when someone is guilty, they carry blame and may need to make things right. In stories, characters like Macbeth are haunted by what they have done. That feeling can push people to confess, apologize, or try to repair the harm.
To be guilty is to be responsible for a wrong act, whether in a legal, moral, or personal sense. In law, a person is found "guilty" when a court or jury decides that the evidence shows they committed a crime. This legal meaning is formal and serious, and it can lead to punishment such as a fine or prison time.
But the word is also common in everyday life outside the courtroom. People often feel guilty after doing something they believe was wrong, even if it was not illegal. You might feel guilty for snapping at someone you love, forgetting an important promise, or hiding the truth. In these cases, the word points to an inner feeling of blame, regret, and a wish to fix the damage.
The word also appears in common expressions. A "guilty pleasure" is something you enjoy even though you think you should not, or feel a little embarrassed about liking. A "guilty conscience" is the heavy feeling that stays with someone after they have done wrong. Sometimes we also say a person "looks guilty," meaning their face or behavior seems to show that they know they are at fault.
Historically, ideas around being guilty are tied closely to law, religion, and morality. Many stories, from old myths to modern novels, explore what happens after someone does wrong and has to live with the result. Whether the setting is a courtroom or a private moment of regret, "guilty" names both blame and the painful awareness that a line has been crossed.
Examples
- 1
Moral feeling
I felt guilty after I lied to my friend.
- 2
Reassurance
You have nothing to feel guilty about.
- 3
Suspicious expression
She had a guilty look on her face when I asked where the money went.
- 4
Guilty conscience
He was struggling with a guilty conscience after the argument.
- Phraseguilty conscience
a bad feeling because you think you did something wrong
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Court plea
The driver pleaded not guilty in court.
- Domainplead not guilty
say in court that you did not do the crime
- 6
Legal responsibility
She was found guilty of stealing from the company.
- Patternguilty of + crime/wrongdoing
responsible for it
- 7
Embarrassing enjoyment
Watching silly reality shows is my guilty pleasure.
- Phraseguilty pleasure
something you enjoy even though you feel a little embarrassed about it
See also
Similar
- culpable
- blameworthy
- at fault
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Do not confuse
Used with (collocations)
- guilty of
- plead guilty
- find someone guilty
- guilty verdict
Word family
Explore
Forms and spellings
3 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- guiltyadjective
Forms
- guiltiercomparativeadjective
- guiltiestsuperlativeadjective