guilt
playSimple Definition of guilt
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: responsibility for a crime or for doing something bad or wrong
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: 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
Examples of guilt in a sentence
The jury determines the defendant's guilt or innocence.
His guilt in the matter was indisputable.
It was clear that the guilt lay with him.
a strong sense of guilt
She feels guilt over something that happened before she was born!
our secret guilts and insecurities
Origin and Etymology of guilt
Middle English, delinquency, guilt, from Old English gylt delinquency
First Known Use: before 12th century
GUILT Defined for Kids
guilt
playDefinition of guilt for Students
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
guiltless
\-ləs\ adjectiveMedical Dictionary
guilt
playMedical 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>
Law Dictionary
guilt
Legal Definition of guilt
: the fact of having committed an offense especially against the law <not enough evidence to establish guilt> — compare innocence
Origin and Etymology of guilt
Old English gylt delinquency
Learn More about guilt
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for guilt Spanish Central: Translation of guilt Nglish: Translation of guilt for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of guilt for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about guilt
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