What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
guilt
Example
She felt guilt for lying to her friend. [guilt: noun]
Example
He was guilty of stealing the money from the store. [guilty: adjective]
regret
Example
I regret not studying harder for the exam. [regret: verb]
Example
She expressed her regret for missing the party. [regret: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Regret is more commonly used than guilt in everyday language. Regret is a common emotion that people experience in various situations, while guilt is less common and usually associated with more serious offenses or wrongdoings.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between guilt and regret?
Both guilt and regret can be used in formal and informal contexts, but guilt is more commonly used in legal or moral contexts, which may require a more formal tone.