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

The order vacated guilty verdicts from the 2018 trial of Renardo Williams, who was convicted of killing Bethgy Catora and shooting and injuring Mayklens Francois during a drug deal gone wrong. —Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 31 Mar. 2026

In assessing a life prison term for DeAujalae Evans, the jury selected the most severe penalty for intoxication manslaughter causing the death of a peace officer, the offense to which Evan pleaded guilty as the jury began to hear evidence in the case of the death of Sgt. —Emerson Clarridge updated March 30, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Mar. 2026

Woods pleaded guilty in Los Angeles federal court in October 2025 to one count of fraud in connection with a major disaster or emergency benefits. —City News Service, Daily News, 31 Mar. 2026

Defense attorneys representing the men, while asking the jury to find their clients not guilty, said the protest showed no signs of becoming violent and that law enforcement had no right to end the demonstrations. —Nathaniel Percy, Oc Register, 30 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