What does regret mean?
Regret describes the painful awareness that a past action, choice, or event has produced an outcome one now wishes were different. It can range from mild disappointment to deep sorrow and may involve moral self-reproach, although it does not necessarily imply that a person acted wrongly. The noun often appears in expressions such as expressing regret, while the verb can describe either a private feeling or a public statement of sorrow. Regret is also used in formal and institutional contexts, such as an apology from a company or government. Its distinction from remorse is useful: remorse usually emphasizes guilt about wrongdoing, whereas regret can concern any regretted experience. Related words include regretful, meaning full of regret; regrettable, describing something that causes regret; and regrettably, meaning unfortunately or to a regrettable degree. The word is valuable because it captures the moral and emotional weight of looking back on choices.
A feeling of sorrow or disappointment caused by something in the past, especially a decision or action one wishes had been different.
"She felt a deep regret about leaving her hometown."
The noun is common in both personal and formal contexts. It can describe either sorrow about an unfortunate outcome or disapproval of a past action.
To feel sorry or disappointed about something in the past, or to express sorrow formally for an action or outcome.
"The minister regretted the confusion caused by the announcement."
When used for a formal public statement, this verb often has a deliberately restrained, institutional tone.
The plural is used for multiple feelings of regret, expressions of sorrow, or formal statements of regret.
"She offered her sincere regrets for the inconvenience."
Regret literally points backward: its Latin ancestor, regredere, meant “to turn back,” so the word has always carried the idea of looking toward what has already passed.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of regret
Regret entered English from Old French regret during the late Middle English period. The Old French word was borrowed from Latin, where regredere meant “to turn back,” reflecting the idea of turning one's thoughts or steps toward the past. The same Latin root underlies words such as regress, progress, and degrade, although their later meanings developed in different directions.
Related word forms
How regret is actually used
Regret is neutral to formal in everyday use and often suggests a considered recognition that something could have been done better. It is used in both British and American English. In some contexts, especially apologies, it can sound formal or institutional.
Easily confused with regret
Remorse is a particularly strong sense of guilt and moral pain about wrongdoing, whereas regret can concern any painful or disappointing past event.
Guilt is the feeling of being responsible for a wrong or failure, while regret may be felt about an unfortunate outcome that was not anyone's fault.