Cool MateGuilt vs Regret vs Shame
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Guilt
Top 2,000 (common)C1noun
Regret
Top 1,000 (very common)B2verb
Shame
Top 1,000 (very common)B2noun
| Guilt | Regret | Shame | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɡɪlt/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɡɪlt/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/rɪˈɡret/","/rɪˈɡrets/","/rɪˈɡretɪd/","/rɪˈɡretɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/rɪˈɡret/","/rɪˈɡrets/","/rɪˈɡretɪd/","/rɪˈɡretɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ʃeɪm/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ʃeɪm/"]/ |
| Meaning | A feeling of being bad or wrong about something you did. | To feel sad or sorry about something you did or didn't do. | A feeling of being embarrassed or guilty about something. |
| Example | She felt overwhelming guilt after realizing she had forgotten her friend's birthday. | I regret not studying harder for my exams. | He felt a deep sense of shame after realizing his mistake. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | B2 | B2 |
| Part of speech | noun | verb | noun |
| Collocations | intense, overwhelming, terrible, pang, twinge, bear, carry, be consumed with, overwhelm somebody, wash over somebody, consume somebody, complex, feelings, trip, guilt about, guilt at, guilt over, a burden of guilt, a feeling of guilt, a sense of guilt, admit, confess, deny, lie, an admission of guilt, proof of guilt, admit, confess, deny, lie, an admission of guilt, proof of guilt | bitterly, deeply, greatly, begin to, come to, grow to, bitterly, deeply, greatly, begin to, come to, grow to | awful, great, real, shame about, a bit of a shame, rather a shame, such a shame, deep, secret, public, be filled with, feel, bring, from shame, in shame, to your shame, bow your head in shame, hang your head in shame, a feeling of shame, deep, secret, public, be filled with, feel, bring, from shame, in shame, to your shame, bow your head in shame, hang your head in shame, a feeling of shame, deep, secret, public, be filled with, feel, bring, from shame, in shame, to your shame, bow your head in shame, hang your head in shame, a feeling of shame |
| Antonyms | innocence, blamelessness | satisfaction, contentment, pride | pride, honor, confidence |
| Common mistakes | Confusing 'guilt' with 'guilty' — 'guilt' is a noun, 'guilty' is an adjective., Using 'guilt' when 'regret' is more appropriate., Omitting 'of' when saying 'guilt of something' instead of 'guilt for something'. | 'Regret' is often confused with 'remorse'. Remorse includes a stronger sense of guilt., Learners might say 'I regret to do...' instead of 'I regret doing...'., Confusion between 'regret' and 'regrettable' which is an adjective. | 'Shame' confused with 'guilt' - they're related but not the same., Using 'shame' inappropriately as an action verb, e.g., 'to shame someone' can be too strong in casual conversation., Mixing up 'shame' with 'shaming' – the former is a noun while the latter is a verb. |
| Usage notes | Used in both formal and informal contexts, often when discussing feelings of remorse or regret. It may not be suitable for lighthearted conversations. | Use 'regret' to express feelings about past actions. It's appropriate in neutral to formal contexts, but less so in casual conversations where simpler phrases might fit better. | Use 'shame' when talking about feelings of guilt or embarrassment. It's appropriate in most contexts but can feel heavy or serious. Avoid in light-hearted conversations. |
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Frequently asked questions: Guilt vs Regret vs Shame
What's the difference between Guilt, Regret, and Shame?
Guilt: A feeling of being bad or wrong about something you did. Regret: To feel sad or sorry about something you did or didn't do. Shame: A feeling of being embarrassed or guilty about something.
Which is more advanced: Guilt, Regret, and Shame?
Guilt is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.
Are Guilt, Regret, and Shame the same CEFR level?
Guilt: C1, Regret: B2, Shame: B2 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Guilt, Regret, and Shame?
Guilt: noun, Regret: verb, Shame: noun.
Can you show an example of each?
Guilt: She felt overwhelming guilt after realizing she had forgotten her friend's birthday. Regret: I regret not studying harder for my exams. Shame: He felt a deep sense of shame after realizing his mistake.
Can I use Guilt, Regret, and Shame interchangeably?
Not always. Guilt, Regret, and Shame are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.