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Definition of "guilt" []

  • The fact of being responsible for the commission of an offense. See Synonyms at blame. (noun)
  • Law Culpability for a crime or lesser breach of regulations that carries a legal penalty. (noun)
  • Remorseful awareness of having done something wrong. (noun)
  • Self-reproach for supposed inadequacy or wrongdoing. (noun)
  • Guilty conduct; sin. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "guilt" in a sentence
  • "II. ii.56 (444,8) gild the faces of the grooms withal,/For it must seem their guilt] Could Shakespeare possibly mean to play upon the similitude of _gild_ and _guilt_."
  • "And this is that which we call guilt, which is an inward vexation, and discontent, and grief of mind, arising from the consciousness that we have done amiss, and a fearful apprehension of some vengeance and punishment that will follow it; and there is no trouble that is comparable to this, when the conscience of"
  • "LUI: A former '60s radical speaks out about Barack Obama, the presidential campaign and what he calls guilt by association."