guilty

adjective

ˈgil-tē 

guiltier; guiltiest

1

: justly chargeable with or responsible for a usually grave breach of conduct or a crime

guilty of manslaughter

Does the defendant plead guilty or not guilty?

They were found guilty as charged.

2

a

: suggesting or involving guilt

The children exchanged guilty looks.

b

: aware of or suffering from guilt

guilty consciences

3

obsolete : justly liable to or deserving of a penalty

guiltily

ˈgil-tə-lē 

adverb

guiltiness

ˈgil-tē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms of guilty

• ashamed

Choose the Right Synonym for guilty

blameworthy, blamable, guilty, culpable mean deserving reproach or punishment.

blameworthy and blamable apply to any degree of reprehensibility.

conduct adjudged blameworthy

an accident for which no one is blamable

guilty implies responsibility for or consciousness of crime, sin, or, at the least, grave error or misdoing.

guilty of a breach of etiquette

culpable is weaker than guilty and is likely to connote malfeasance or errors of ignorance, omission, or negligence.

culpable neglect

Examples of guilty in a Sentence

Do you think he's innocent or guilty?

Will the defendant plead guilty or not guilty?

The children exchanged guilty looks.

He was acting like someone with a guilty conscience.

There's no need to feel guilty about it.

Recent Examples on the Web

Ari Lauer pleaded guilty in October 2025 to 23 counts of fraud in the case of DC solar, a Benicia company that served as a front for a nearly $1 billion Ponzi scheme that duped major corporations and sophisticated investors including Berkshire Hathaway chair Warren Buffett. —Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 10 Mar. 2026

Asif Merchant, a Pakistani national also known as Asif Raza Merchant, was found guilty of murder for hire and attempting to commit an act of terrorism transcending national boundaries. —Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026

Lebuhn, with last week’s filing, was charged in a criminal information — as opposed to a grand jury indictment — which is typically an indication that a defendant plans to plead guilty. —Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026

The three brothers from Miami appeared crestfallen as the guilty verdicts came down, shaking their heads in disbelief. —Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 9 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

see guilt entry 1

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing guilty

• (as) guilty as sin
• guilty party
• guilty pleasure
• guilty/troubled conscience

Rhymes for guilty

• silty
• subtilty

Kids Definition

guilty

adjective

ˈgil-tē 

guiltier; guiltiest

1

: having done wrong

2

a

: suggesting or involving guilt

a guilty manner

b

: aware of or suffering from guilt

a guilty conscience

guiltily

-tə-lē 

adverb

guiltiness

-tē-nəs 

noun

Legal Definition

guilty

1 of 2 adjective

guiltier; guiltiest

1

: having committed a crime : justly charged with a specified crime

guilty of larceny

2

: involving guilt or culpability

guilty knowledge

guilty

2 of 2 noun

1

: a plea of a criminal defendant who does not intend to contest the charges

2

: a verdict of a jury that believes the defendant committed the crime charged compare nolo contendere, not guilty, not guilty by reason of insanity