contrite

UK: /kənˈtraɪt/ US: /kənˈtraɪt/ ,(kən trīt′, kon′trīt)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

con•trite /kənˈtraɪt/   adj. 

1. filled with, or showing, a sense of guilt and the desire to make up for some wrongdoing:
   a contrite sinner.

con•trite•ly, adv. 
con•trite•ness, n. [uncountable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

con•trite  (kən trīt′, kon′trīt), adj. 

1. caused by or showing sincere remorse.
2. filled with a sense of guilt and the desire for atonement;
   penitent:
   a contrite sinner.

• Latin contrītus worn down, crushed, past participle of conterere. See con-, trite
• Anglo-French)
• Middle English contrit (1300–50

con•trite′ly, adv. 
con•trite′ness, n. 
Synonyms

• 2. rueful, remorseful, repentant.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

contrite / kənˈtraɪt ˈkɒntraɪt/ adjective

1. full of guilt or regret; remorseful
2. arising from a sense of shame or guilt: contrite promises
3. remorseful for past sin and resolved to avoid future sin

Etymology: 14th Century: from Latin contrītus worn out, from conterere to bruise, from terere to grind