Definitions for regret
rɪˈgrɛtre·gret

Princeton's WordNet(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. sorrow, regret, rue, ruefulnessverb

   sadness associated with some wrong done or some disappointment

   "he drank to drown his sorrows"; "he wrote a note expressing his regret"; "to his rue, the error cost him the game"

2. repent, regret, rueverb

   feel remorse for; feel sorry for; be contrite about

3. regretverb

   feel sad about the loss or absence of

4. regretverb

   decline formally or politely

   "I regret I can't come to the party"

5. regretverb

   express with regret

   "I regret to say that you did not gain admission to Harvard"

Wiktionary(5.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. regretnoun

   The instance of such an emotion.

   Etymology: From regretten, from regreter, regrater, from re- + , , from Old , and Old , from greutanan, from ghrew-, equivalent to . Cognate with grazan, grætan, greotan, gráta,
   0332
   0342
   0334
   0344
   0330
   033D. More at greet.

2. regretverb

   To feel sorry about (a thing that has happened), afterthink: to wish that a thing had not happened, that something else had happened instead.

   He regretted his words.

   Etymology: From regretten, from regreter, regrater, from re- + , , from Old , and Old , from greutanan, from ghrew-, equivalent to . Cognate with grazan, grætan, greotan, gráta,
   0332
   0342
   0334
   0344
   0330
   033D. More at greet.

3. regretverb

   To feel sorry about (any thing).

   I regret that I have to do this, but I don't have a choice.

   Etymology: From regretten, from regreter, regrater, from re- + , , from Old , and Old , from greutanan, from ghrew-, equivalent to . Cognate with grazan, grætan, greotan, gráta,
   0332
   0342
   0334
   0344
   0330
   033D. More at greet.

Webster Dictionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Regret

   pain of mind on account of something done or experienced in the past, with a wish that it had been different; a looking back with dissatisfaction or with longing; grief; sorrow; especially, a mourning on account of the loss of some joy, advantage, or satisfaction

   Etymology: [F. regretter, OF. regreter; L. pref. re- re- + a word of Teutonic origin; cf. Goth. grtan to weep, Icel. grta. See Greet to lament.]

2. Regret

   dislike; aversion

   Etymology: [F. regretter, OF. regreter; L. pref. re- re- + a word of Teutonic origin; cf. Goth. grtan to weep, Icel. grta. See Greet to lament.]

3. Regretverb

   to experience regret on account of; to lose or miss with a sense of regret; to feel sorrow or dissatisfaction on account of (the happening or the loss of something); as, to regret an error; to regret lost opportunities or friends

   Etymology: [F. regretter, OF. regreter; L. pref. re- re- + a word of Teutonic origin; cf. Goth. grtan to weep, Icel. grta. See Greet to lament.]

Freebase(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Regret

   Regret was a famous American thoroughbred racehorse and the first of three fillies to ever win the Kentucky Derby.

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Regret

   rē-gret′, v.t. to grieve at: to remember with sorrow:—pr.p. regret′ting; pa.t. and pa.p. regret′ted.—n. sorrow for anything: concern: remorse: a written expression of regret.—adj. Regret′ful, full of regret.—adv. Regret′fully.—adj. Regret′table.—adv. Regret′tably. [O. Fr. regrater, to desire, prob. from L. re-, again, and an Old Low Ger. form, appearing in A.S. grǽtan, Goth. gretan, to weep, Scot. greet. Others explain as from L. re-, in neg. sense, and gratus, pleasing.]

Matched Categories

1. • Feel
   • Inform
   • Miss
   • Refuse

British National Corpus

1. Verbs Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'regret' in Verbs Frequency: #786

How to pronounce regret?

1. Alex

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

How to say regret in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of regret in Chaldean Numerology is: 3

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of regret in Pythagorean Numerology is: 1

Examples of regret in a Sentence

1. RVM:

   The wise respond. The foolish react. The wise think & then act. The foolish act and then regret.

2. Chuck Schumer:

   I regret to say for 45 Republican senators to vote for a spurious constitutional objection to the coming impeachment trial was deeply, deeply irresponsible, only five Republican senators are willing to take a principled stand against this reckless and ill-advised effort by members of this body who are eager to excuse President Trump's campaign to overturn the election, and apparently, to excuse President Trump incitement to the mob that every one of us experienced in this Capitol.

3. An OSU spokesperson:

   Ohio State has led the effort to investigate and expose Richard Strauss ' abuse and the university's failure at the time to adequately respond to or prevent Richard Strauss ' abuse. We express our deep regret and apologies to all who experienced Strauss' abuse and remain actively committed to a fair resolution, including a monetary resolution.

4. Mitch McConnell:

   This is clearly a disappointing moment, i regret that our efforts were simply not enough — this time.

5. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu:

   He has made it clear that the U.S. is the Great Satan and that Iran intends to destroy the state of Israel. This will not happen. Israel is a strong country and it will become even stronger, however, the conclusion that arises from the remarks of the tyrant in Tehran is that all responsible countries must cooperate in order to stop Iran's terrorism and aggression which, to my regret, will only increase as a result of the agreement.

Images & Illustrations of regret

Popularity rank by frequency of use