What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
guilt
Example
She felt guilty for lying to her friend. [guilty: adjective]
Example
He admitted his guilt in the crime. [guilt: noun]
shame
Example
She felt shame for not standing up for herself. [shame: noun]
Example
He was ashamed of his behavior at the party. [ashamed: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Guilt is more commonly used than shame in everyday language. Guilt is a common emotion experienced by people when they feel responsible for something they have done wrong. On the other hand, shame is less common and is often associated with more severe situations or events.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between guilt and shame?
Both guilt and shame are typically associated with an informal tone. However, guilt can be used in formal contexts, such as legal proceedings, while shame is less likely to be used in formal settings.
