guilty-pleasure
/ˌɡɪlti ˈplɛʒə/ IELTSAcademic
noun
Something you enjoy but feel slightly ashamed of liking, because it seems silly, childish, or not impressive. It is often used for entertainment, food, or habits.
- Reality TV is my guilty pleasure.
- Chocolate cake is my guilty pleasure.
- Rom-coms are a guilty pleasure for me.
Adinary Nuance
A guilty pleasure is not just a hobby you like. It is something you enjoy while feeling a little embarrassed about it. It is closer to a private weakness than to a simple preference, and people often say it jokingly. It is different from a favorite thing, which does not need any shame.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- sở thích ngầm
- Spanish
- placer culposo
- Chinese
- 罪恶快感
- Japanese
- 後ろめたい楽しみ
- Korean
- 죄책감 섞인 즐거움
Etymology
This phrase became common in modern English in the late 20th century. It combines guilty with pleasure to describe enjoyment mixed with shame or embarrassment.
Common phrases
a guilty pleasuremy guilty pleasureguilty-pleasure TVguilty-pleasure food
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is guilty pleasure formal or informal?
- It is informal and very common in speech and casual writing.
- What is the difference between a guilty pleasure and a favorite?
- A guilty pleasure makes you feel a little embarrassed. A favorite does not.
- Can I use guilty pleasure for food?
- Yes. People often use it for snacks, desserts, and comfort food.
- Is guilty pleasure a negative expression?
- Usually no. It is playful and light, not strongly negative.