regret
ruh-GRET
/rɪˈɡret/
To feel sad, repentant, or disappointed over something that has happened or been done.
Regret focuses on the internal feeling of sadness or 'wishing things were different,' rather than the external act of saying sorry.
The story behind the word. From the Old French 'regreter,' which meant to bewail or lament the dead. It suggests a deep, mournful longing for what is lost or cannot be changed.
Word relationships
- rue: Rue is much more old-fashioned and carries a sense of lasting bitterness.
- satisfaction: The feeling of being pleased with how things turned out.
Commonly confused with
- remorse: Regret can be about a mistake (like missing a bus), while remorse is specifically about a moral wrong.
Word family
- regretful (adjective): Feeling or showing regret.
- regrettable (adjective): Deserving of regret; unfortunate.
Collocations
- deeply regret
- regret to inform
- bitter regret
Idioms & expressions
- live to regret it
Example sentences
- "I regret that I have but one life to lose for my country." A classic literary quote about the passage of time.
- "She deeply regretted not taking the job offer when she had the chance." Everyday disappointment.
Memory hook
Regret is like a 'Return-Get': You want to return to the past to get a different result. The 'wish I hadn't' feeling.
When not to use
Don't use 'regret' if you are trying to describe a legal obligation to pay money; use 'indemnify' or 'compensate'.
Fun facts
- The word shares an ancient Germanic root with 'greet,' which originally meant to cry out or lament.
Explore more words
repentant, remorse, contrition, remorseful, penitent, contrite
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