noun
guilt
GILT/ɡɪlt/
Responsibility for an act regarded as wrong.
The man's guilt for breaking the mug is reflected in his remorseful expression.
Etymology
Old English gylt named the wrongdoing itself—a crime, sin, or failure of duty. The meaning shifted to responsibility for wrongdoing and then to the feeling of having done wrong; its deeper origin is unknown.
In context
… guilt says I made a mistake, shame says I am a mistake. Shame is more than feeling like you messed up.
More examples
- The prosecutor must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
- He admits his guilt in vandalizing the fence.
- Both managers bear guilt for deliberately misleading their customers.
Forms
guilty adjective — Responsible for a crime or wrongdoing.
Similar words
- culpability
- Emphasizes blameworthiness, especially when judging responsibility for wrongdoing.
- responsibility
- Covers duties and accountability, not necessarily any wrongdoing.