guilt

UK: /ˈgɪlt/ US: /gɪlt/ ,(gilt)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

guilt /gɪlt/   n. [uncountable]

1. the fact or state of having committed an offense, crime, violation, or wrong, esp. against morals or against the law;
   culpability:
   to admit one's guilt in a robbery.
2. a feeling of responsibility or remorse for the commission or consequences of some act of wrongdoing:
   feelings of guilt.
3. responsibility;
   blame:
   The guilt lies with those who would make false promises.

guilt•less, adj. 
Related Words

guilt is a noun, guilty is an adjective:
He was filled with feelings of guilt. He felt very guilty about what he had done.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

guilt  (gilt), n. 

1. the fact or state of having committed an offense, crime, violation, or wrong, esp. against moral or penal law;
   culpability:
   He admitted his guilt.
2. a feeling of responsibility or remorse for some offense, crime, wrong, etc., whether real or imagined.
3. conduct involving the commission of such crimes, wrongs, etc.:
   to live a life of guilt.

• Middle English gilt, Old English gylt offense bef. 1000

Synonyms

• 3. criminality.

Antonyms

• 1. innocence.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

guilt / ɡɪlt/ noun

1. the fact or state of having done wrong or committed an offence
2. responsibility for a criminal or moral offence deserving punishment or a penalty
3. remorse or self-reproach caused by feeling that one is responsible for a wrong or offence
4. sin or crime

Etymology: Old English gylt, of obscure origin