guilty

adjective

ˈgil-tē 

guiltier; guiltiest

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

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

• ashamed
• shamed
• shamefaced

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

He was sent to prison for several years after pleading guilty to a number of charges, including tax fraud and charges unrelated to this case. —USA TODAY, 22 Apr. 2024

Goodlett is currently awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to a federal charge related to false information in the warrant for the home of Breonna Taylor, who was killed by LMPD in 2020. —The Courier-Journal, 22 Apr. 2024

O’Connor pleaded guilty to securities fraud and conspiracy and is due to be sentenced in May, while Waugh is fighting the charges. —Ben Stupples, Fortune Europe, 19 Apr. 2024

In the courtroom on Thursday, Paz spoke softly when acknowledging the terms of his guilty plea and sentence. —Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2024

They also were found guilty of tax evasion and conspiring to defraud the IRS, and Julie Chrisley was convicted of wire fraud and obstruction of justice. —Kate Brumback, Fortune, 19 Apr. 2024

The sentence came down after Holton was found guilty of first-degree murder and first-degree arson for stabbing Gloster and then drowning her because another man was interested in spending time with her, prosecutors said, WFLA reports. —Kc Baker, Peoplemag, 19 Apr. 2024

The couple pleaded guilty in August to parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building. —Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 19 Apr. 2024

Trump has pleaded not guilty to the charges and has denied any wrongdoing. —Alexander Mallin, ABC News, 18 Apr. 2024

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 as charged
• guilty party
• guilty pleasure
• guilty/troubled conscience

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