regret
/rɪˈɡret/ IELTSAcademic
verb
If you regret something, you feel sorry that it happened or that you did it. You wish you had made a different choice.
- I regret saying that to you.
- She regrets not studying abroad.
- Do you regret your decision?
noun
Regret is a sad feeling about something that happened, or something you did not do. It can also mean a polite message saying you cannot accept or attend.
- He felt deep regret after the argument.
- I have no regrets about the move.
- Please accept my regrets.
Adinary Nuance
Regret is stronger and more personal than 'sorry'. You can be sorry for a mistake in the moment, but regret usually means deeper sadness about a past choice or event. Compared with 'remorse', regret is less moral and less intense. Compared with 'repent', regret does not usually mean a religious or moral change of heart.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- hối tiếc
- Spanish
- arrepentimiento
- Chinese
- 后悔
- Japanese
- 後悔
- Korean
- 후회
Etymology
Regret came into English from Old French in the 1300s. It goes back to Latin roots meaning 'look back' or 'lament.'
Common phrases
express regretdeep regretwith regretno regrets
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is regret formal or informal?
- It is common in both everyday speech and formal writing. In business emails, it can sound polite and serious.
- What is the difference between regret and sorry?
- Sorry is more general and often used for small mistakes. Regret suggests deeper sadness about a past action or result.
- Can regret be used in business English?
- Yes. It is often used in polite messages, especially when refusing, apologizing, or giving bad news.
- What does 'no regrets' mean?
- 'No regrets' means you do not wish you had acted differently. It shows acceptance of a choice or experience.