Guilty - English Definition & Meaning

Definition

Feeling guilty means you believe you've done something wrong, whether it's breaking a rule, hurting someone's feelings, or failing to meet expectations. It's that sinking feeling in your stomach when you know you messed up. It involves recognizing your fault and often feeling remorseful about it. Think of it as your conscience tapping you on the shoulder, reminding you of your actions. Unlike shame, which focuses on your character, guilt focuses on your actions. Imagine a cartoon character with a dark cloud over their head – that's guilt!

Etymology

The word 'guilty' comes from the Old English 'gyltig,' meaning 'deserving punishment' or 'having committed an offense.' It's connected to the word 'guilt,' which originally referred to a crime or offense. Over time, 'guilty' evolved to describe the feeling associated with having committed such an offense. The root 'gylt' is also related to words like 'yield' and 'geld,' suggesting an idea of payment or compensation for wrongdoing. So, feeling guilty is like owing a debt to your conscience.

Related Words

Examples

• "I felt guilty after eating the last slice of pizza without asking."
• "She looked guilty when the teacher asked who hadn't done the homework."
• "He felt guilty for forgetting his friend's birthday."
• "The jury found the defendant guilty of all charges."

Encouragement

Don't let guilt eat you up! Acknowledge your mistake, apologize if necessary, and learn from it. Guilt can be a powerful motivator for positive change. Use it to become a better version of yourself! 👍

Learn More

📖 Learn more on Wikipedia