guiltily

Guiltily is an adverb meaning “in a way that shows guilt.” It typically describes someone who appears self-conscious, evasive, or remorseful because they believe they have done something wrong. The adverb can modify actions, expressions, and speech: a person might look away guiltily, smile guiltily, or answer a question guiltily. Its implication can be literal, as when someone is concealing an offence, or figurative, as when someone feels embarrassed after a harmless social mistake. Although guiltily often conveys unease rather than an explicit admission of wrongdoing, context usually makes the reference to fault apparent. The word derives from the adjective guilty and is especially useful in narrative writing because it conveys guilt through visible behaviour without requiring a direct statement. It is also notable for sharing its pronunciation with the uncommon word giltily, meaning “in a gilded or glittering manner.”

In a manner that shows or is characterized by guilt. It describes how someone acts or feels when they believe they have done wrong.

Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.

Where does guiltily come from?

Guiltily was formed by adding the Middle English adverb-forming suffix -ly to the adjective guilty. Guilty in turn belongs to the English word family of guilt, which ultimately derives from Old English gylt, meaning guilt, fault, or offence. The addition of -ly established the conventional adverbial relationship between an adjective and the manner in which an action or quality is performed.

How guiltily is actually used

Guiltily is formal-to-neutral in register and commonly describes a person's expression, voice, behaviour, or manner. It may indicate either actual wrongdoing or figurative embarrassment about a perceived mistake.

Easily confused with guiltily

What's another word for guiltily?

Words and phrases paired with guiltily

What's the opposite of guiltily?

Rhymes with guiltily