SINCE 1828
guilty
adjective
\ ˈgil-tē
\
\
guiltier;
guiltiest
Definition of guilty
1
: justly chargeable with or responsible for a usually grave breach of conduct or a crime
Does the defendant plead guilty or not guilty?
2
obsolete
: justly liable to or deserving of a penalty
3a
: suggesting or involving guilt
The children exchanged guilty looks.
b
: aware of or suffering from guilt
guilty consciences
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Other Words from guilty
guiltily
\ ˈgil-tə-lē
\
adverb
\
adverb
guiltiness
\ ˈgil-tē-nəs
\
noun
\
noun
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.
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Recent Examples on the Web
The two have pleaded not guilty to the criminal charges. — Ethan Baron, The Mercury News, "Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes’ fraud trial may not start until September 2020," 21 June 2019 Palatella has pleaded not guilty to charges of fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy. — Matthew Ormseth, latimes.com, "College admissions scandal mastermind found fertile hunting grounds in wealth management world," 21 June 2019 Julian Banda,18, pleaded not guilty to manufacturing or delivering marijuana and maintaining a drug trafficking place. — Karen Pilarski, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Two former Brookfield Central High School star athletes charged with drug dealing will be sentenced," 19 June 2019 The singer pleaded not guilty to these counts as well. — Essence, "'This Isn't Just A Trophy To Us': 'Surviving R. Kelly' Wins Best Documentary At MTV Movie & TV Awards," 17 June 2019 Sutherland pleaded not guilty to the charges in February. — Christopher Brito, CBS News, "Maggots found on patient at Hacienda HealthCare, same Arizona facility where incapacitated woman gave birth," 17 June 2019 Fotis Dulos and Troconis, both charged with hindering prosecution and tampering with evidence, have pleaded not guilty to the charges and are each free on $500,000 bond. — Dave Altimari, courant.com, "The events of May 24, the last day Jennifer Farber Dulos was seen alive, are a key element of the investigation into her disappearance," 16 June 2019 Richards had previously pleaded not guilty to the charge and was set to stand trial in September. — NBC News, "Homeless man pleads guilty in slaying of Iowa State golfer," 15 June 2019 Magee pleaded not guilty to charges of murder, attempted murder and attempted battery by means of a deadly weapon. — Michelle L. Quinn, Post-Tribune, "New trial date set for man, 18, charged in boy's shooting death at an East Chicago park," 11 June 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'guilty.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for guilty
guilty
adjective
English Language Learners Definition of guilty
: responsible for committing a crime or doing something bad or wrong
: showing that you know you have done something bad or wrong
: feeling bad because you have done something bad or wrong or because you believe you have done something bad or wrong
See the full definition for guilty in the English Language Learners Dictionary
guilty
adjective
\ ˈgil-tē
\
\
guiltier;
guiltiest
Kids Definition of guilty
1
: responsible for having done wrong
2
: suffering from or showing bad feelings about having done wrong
I feel guilty about lying.
guilty
adjective
guiltier;
guiltiest
Legal Definition of guilty
(Entry 1 of 2)
1
: having committed a crime : justly charged with a specified crime
guilty of larceny
2
: involving guilt or culpability
guilty knowledge
guilty
nounLegal Definition of guilty (Entry 2 of 2)
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
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