regret1 verbregret2 noun
regretre‧gret1 /rɪˈɡret/ ●●○ W3 verb (past tense and past participle regretted, present participle regretting) [transitive] 
WORD ORIGINregret1
Origin:
1400-1500 Old French regreterVERB TABLE
regret
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | regret |
| he, she, it | regrets | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | regretted |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have regretted |
| he, she, it | has regretted | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had regretted |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will regret |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have regretted |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am regretting |
| he, she, it | is regretting | |
| you, we, they | are regretting | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was regretting |
| you, we, they | were regretting | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been regretting |
| he, she, it | has been regretting | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been regretting |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be regretting |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been regretting |
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Do you ever regret taking this job?
- I regret to say that a number of statements made by the department were incorrect.
- I have always regretted giving up my piano lessons.
- I think she regrets now that she never went to college.
- It was a stupid thing to say, and I immediately regretted it.
- The airport announced that due to bad weather all flights were cancelled, and they regretted any inconvenience this would cause.
- The management regrets to inform you that your contract will not be renewed next month.
- The owners said they regretted the decision to close the store, but felt unable to do otherwise.
- The Public Health ministry said it deeply regretted the error.
- We truly regret any inconvenience this mistake caused you.
- A shy smile hinted that he did not entirely regret it.
- I have definitely chosen and I don't regret me choice.
- I instantly regret my indiscretion and beg him to keep the news to himself.
- That was a name he was already beginning to regret.
- We also read about women who tried to do something and failed and now regret that they even tried.
Longman Language Activatorto wish you had not done something
to feel sad, embarrassed, or annoyed about something bad or stupid that you have done, and wish you had not done it: be sorry/feel sorry that: · Aunt Jean always felt a little sorry that she had never had children.· I was sorry I ever agreed to go with them.be sorry/feel sorry for (=sorry for something bad that you have done): · I am sorry for any embarrassment I may have caused.be sorry/feel sorry about (=sorry about something that has happened): · Richardson said she was very sorry about the incident.
to wish that you had not done something, especially because it has bad results that affect you for a long time: · It was a stupid thing to say, and I immediately regretted it.· The owners said they regretted the decision to close the store, but felt unable to do otherwise.regret (that): · I think she regrets now that she never went to college.regret doing something: · I have always regretted giving up my piano lessons.deeply regret (=regret very much): · The Public Health ministry said it deeply regretted the error.
to feel that you have done the wrong thing, and wish that you had behaved differently: · I wish I had told him the truth.· I wish I'd realized earlier how much money I could save.· She wished now that she had not agreed to go to the party.
a feeling of sadness that you have when you think you have done the wrong thing, especially because it has bad results that affect you for a long time: · My main regret is that I never finished my college degree.sigh/expression/feeling of regret: · "I was too young to know what I was doing," said Martha with a deep sigh of regret.express regret: · Officers expressed regret about the boy's death.
what you say when you wish that you had not done something spoken say this when you feel you have done the wrong thing, because things would have been better if you had done something differently: · Why did I say I'd clean the car? It's going to take hours!· He's such an idiot! Why did I ever find him attractive?· I'm so stupid. Why didn't I just write it down?
spoken say this when you are very sorry about something you have said or done, for example something embarrassing or upsetting, or something you did not want people to know: · I could've kicked myself when I realized she was standing right behind me.· I have kicked myself every day since then for not checking again to see that the doors were locked.
something that you wish you had not done · My one regret is that I never visited the Taj Mahal when I was in India.· Her biggest regret is that she turned down a job with Gardner's in 1985.· I knew that if I didn't make a clean break with Victor I should be filled with regrets for the rest of my life.
when you think someone else will wish they had not done something spoken use this to say that someone will later regret what they have done, because something bad will happen as a result of their actions: · Ed, you'll be sorry you ever said that.· If you don't start studying for your exams, you'll be sorry later.
spoken use this to say that someone will regret what they have done at a later time, especially a few years from now: · He may think leaving his wife for the other woman is a good idea, but he'll live to regret it.· If you put all your money in this real estate deal, I guarantee you'll live to regret it.
spoken use this to say that although someone is happy about what they have done now, they will wish they had not done it later: · You'll be laughing out of the other side of your face when I start making money with this.
to not regret doing something · Even though this year has been a difficult one, I have never regretted my decision.not regret doing something · I still miss him sometimes, but I don't regret breaking up with him.not regret it · It's worth trying to save a little every month -- you won't regret it.
to not feel sorry that you did something, especially when other people think you should: not be sorry (that): · I'm not sorry I never got married -- I'm only sorry I didn't have any children.not be sorry to do something: · She wasn't sorry to leave her job.not be sorry about: · Richards says she still isn't sorry about making jokes about the president.not be sorry for: · I'm not sorry for what I said. Somebody had to tell the truth, even if people don't like it.
to be glad that you did a particular thing or that things happened in a particular way: · I'm glad I left Britain and came to live in the US. I have no regrets.· She had decided to have the baby and had no regrets about her decision.have few regrets: · Even though it's hard work they have few regrets about setting up their own business.
spoken use this when you are not at all sorry that you did something, especially something important in your life: · "Are you sorry you left home so young?" "Oh no, I'd do the same thing again."· He insulted me, so I hit him. And I'd do it again.· Julia doesn't regret having Ben, and if she could turn the clock back she'd do the same again.· I wasn't always happy, but I'd do it again if I had the chance.
spoken say this when you do not regret a situation that happened in the past, even if it involved problems or if it upset you at that time: · Sure, I was devastated when Harry went back to his wife, but even so I wouldn't change a thing.
what you say when you are sorry to have to tell someone some bad news · "Could you lend me a couple of pounds, Katy?" "Sorry, I don't have any money."· I'm sorry that I can't help.I'm sorry to do something · I'm sorry to have to tell you that your grandmother is in hospital.
used in formal letters and official announcements giving someone some bad news: · The airport announced that due to bad weather all flights were cancelled, and they regretted any inconvenience this would cause.regret to inform/tell/say etc: · The management regrets to inform you that your contract will not be renewed next month.· I regret to say that a number of statements made by the department were incorrect.
with a feeling of sadness because you wish a situation was different · He spoke with regret of his decision to leave office.· People who've left the town and then returned notice the changes most, sometimes with regret.with deep/great regret (=with a lot of regret) · We have accepted her resignation with deep regret.
if you say or do something regretfully , you say or do it sadly because you do not want to say or do it: · "We'd better go back," she said regretfully, "before it rains."· A news release issued by the singer's publicist said he had "regretfully" severed all ties to the band because of "creative differences".
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRYadverbs
She felt a sudden pang of guilt.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB
· I deeply regretted what had happened.
(=with a feeling of great sadness)· I bitterly regretted my decision to leave.
· The airline sincerely regrets any delays to passengers.
· We very much regret that there will be job losses.
· ‘No,’ she blurted out, instantly regretting her response.
phrases (=regret it in the future)· If you don’t go, you may live to regret it.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES (=wish you had not made a particular decision)· I was already regretting my decision to go on holiday with him.
· The military has not offered any expression of regret over the civilian loss of life.
(=one that expresses a particular feeling) There was a murmur of agreement from the crowd.
There was a murmur of agreement from the crowd. She felt a sudden pang of guilt.· It was an agreement that Lear was to regret bitterly in later years.· Many who have left the Association already bitterly regret it.· They had rushed into it too quickly, and lived to bitterly regret their impulsiveness.
· I deeply regret that I was unable to have a word with the housekeeper when she was more collected in mind.· It read: The Governor deeply regrets you were inconvenienced by Mr Dach, a member of his advance team.· But when this was over, Eleanor would deeply regret that she had tried to interfere with his personal life.· He communicates less and less with his wife, who now deeply regrets the entire affair.· We deeply regret the death of this noble person.
· Fitzroy said they would greatly regret losing me but understood my reasons.
PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
- He may think leaving his wife for the other woman is a good idea, but he'll live to regret it.
- If you put all your money in this real estate deal, I guarantee you'll live to regret it.
WORD FAMILYadjectiveregrettableregretfuladverbregrettablyregretfullynounregretverbregret
1to feel sorry about something you have done and wish you had not done it: Don’t do anything you might regret.regret doing something I regret leaving school so young.regret (that) He was beginning to regret that he’d come along.2[not in progressive] formal used in official letters or statements when saying that you are sorry or sad about something: We regret any inconvenience caused to our customers.regret (that) I regret that I will be unable to attend.regret to say/inform/tell I regret to inform you that your contract will not be renewed.COLLOCATIONSadverbsdeeply/greatly· I deeply regretted what had happened.bitterly (=with a feeling of great sadness)· I bitterly regretted my decision to leave.sincerely· The airline sincerely regrets any delays to passengers.very much· We very much regret that there will be job losses.instantly/immediately· ‘No,’ she blurted out, instantly regretting her response.phraseslive to regret something (=regret it in the future)· If you don’t go, you may live to regret it.regret1 verbregret2 noun
regretregret2 ●○○ noun EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- "I was too young to know what I was doing," said Martha with a deep sigh of regret.
- Her biggest regret is that she turned down a job with Gardner's in 1985.
- I knew that if I didn't make a clean break with Victor I should be filled with regrets for the rest of my life.
- Jason detected a note of regret in her voice.
- My main regret is that I never finished my college degree.
- My one regret is that I never visited the Taj Mahal when I was in India.
- Officers expressed regret about the boy's death.
- A life for a telegram from the War Department stating regret.
- But he insists regret should never make a footballer compromise on toughness.
- Did he feel regret, and if so, did he allow anyone to see it?
- His only regret was that he could not drive, because of his epilepsy.
- Mchboob looked disappointed; his whole face relaxed into regret.
- She looked at him a moment as if there were some kind of regret or shame fighting it out inside of her.
- There was regret in his voice.
- Warnod had to decline, to his later regret.
THESAURUS
the feeling you have when you have done something you know is wrong: · Divorce often leaves people with feelings of guilt.
the feeling of being guilty or embarrassed that you have after doing something that is wrong, when you feel you have lost people’s respect: · I was too scared to help him, and I was filled with shame.
a feeling of sadness about something, especially because you wish it had not happened: · Kate watched her go with a pang of regret.
a strong feeling of being sorry for doing something very bad: · a murderer who showed no remorse
formal a feeling of being guilty and sorry for something wrong that you have done: · The company CEO expressed contrition for the errors that led to the crash.· He sounded full of contrition.· They wanted to perform some kind of act of contrition (=do something that shows you feel sorry for something).
formal a feeling of being sorry for something that you have done wrong, when you do not intend to do it again: · He expressed genuine penitence at the harm he had done her.· a period of reflection and penitence
the part of your mind that tells you whether what you are doing is morally right or wrong: · My conscience has been troubling me ever since.
Longman Language Activatorto wish you had not done something to feel sad, embarrassed, or annoyed about something bad or stupid that you have done, and wish you had not done it: be sorry/feel sorry that: · Aunt Jean always felt a little sorry that she had never had children.· I was sorry I ever agreed to go with them.be sorry/feel sorry for (=sorry for something bad that you have done): · I am sorry for any embarrassment I may have caused.be sorry/feel sorry about (=sorry about something that has happened): · Richardson said she was very sorry about the incident.
to wish that you had not done something, especially because it has bad results that affect you for a long time: · It was a stupid thing to say, and I immediately regretted it.· The owners said they regretted the decision to close the store, but felt unable to do otherwise.regret (that): · I think she regrets now that she never went to college.regret doing something: · I have always regretted giving up my piano lessons.deeply regret (=regret very much): · The Public Health ministry said it deeply regretted the error.
to feel that you have done the wrong thing, and wish that you had behaved differently: · I wish I had told him the truth.· I wish I'd realized earlier how much money I could save.· She wished now that she had not agreed to go to the party.
a feeling of sadness that you have when you think you have done the wrong thing, especially because it has bad results that affect you for a long time: · My main regret is that I never finished my college degree.sigh/expression/feeling of regret: · "I was too young to know what I was doing," said Martha with a deep sigh of regret.express regret: · Officers expressed regret about the boy's death.
what you say when you wish that you had not done something spoken say this when you feel you have done the wrong thing, because things would have been better if you had done something differently: · Why did I say I'd clean the car? It's going to take hours!· He's such an idiot! Why did I ever find him attractive?· I'm so stupid. Why didn't I just write it down?
spoken say this when you are very sorry about something you have said or done, for example something embarrassing or upsetting, or something you did not want people to know: · I could've kicked myself when I realized she was standing right behind me.· I have kicked myself every day since then for not checking again to see that the doors were locked.
something that you wish you had not done · My one regret is that I never visited the Taj Mahal when I was in India.· Her biggest regret is that she turned down a job with Gardner's in 1985.· I knew that if I didn't make a clean break with Victor I should be filled with regrets for the rest of my life.
when you think someone else will wish they had not done something spoken use this to say that someone will later regret what they have done, because something bad will happen as a result of their actions: · Ed, you'll be sorry you ever said that.· If you don't start studying for your exams, you'll be sorry later.
spoken use this to say that someone will regret what they have done at a later time, especially a few years from now: · He may think leaving his wife for the other woman is a good idea, but he'll live to regret it.· If you put all your money in this real estate deal, I guarantee you'll live to regret it.
spoken use this to say that although someone is happy about what they have done now, they will wish they had not done it later: · You'll be laughing out of the other side of your face when I start making money with this.
to not regret doing something · Even though this year has been a difficult one, I have never regretted my decision.not regret doing something · I still miss him sometimes, but I don't regret breaking up with him.not regret it · It's worth trying to save a little every month -- you won't regret it.
to not feel sorry that you did something, especially when other people think you should: not be sorry (that): · I'm not sorry I never got married -- I'm only sorry I didn't have any children.not be sorry to do something: · She wasn't sorry to leave her job.not be sorry about: · Richards says she still isn't sorry about making jokes about the president.not be sorry for: · I'm not sorry for what I said. Somebody had to tell the truth, even if people don't like it.
to be glad that you did a particular thing or that things happened in a particular way: · I'm glad I left Britain and came to live in the US. I have no regrets.· She had decided to have the baby and had no regrets about her decision.have few regrets: · Even though it's hard work they have few regrets about setting up their own business.
spoken use this when you are not at all sorry that you did something, especially something important in your life: · "Are you sorry you left home so young?" "Oh no, I'd do the same thing again."· He insulted me, so I hit him. And I'd do it again.· Julia doesn't regret having Ben, and if she could turn the clock back she'd do the same again.· I wasn't always happy, but I'd do it again if I had the chance.
spoken say this when you do not regret a situation that happened in the past, even if it involved problems or if it upset you at that time: · Sure, I was devastated when Harry went back to his wife, but even so I wouldn't change a thing.
what you say when you are sorry to have to tell someone some bad news · "Could you lend me a couple of pounds, Katy?" "Sorry, I don't have any money."· I'm sorry that I can't help.I'm sorry to do something · I'm sorry to have to tell you that your grandmother is in hospital.
used in formal letters and official announcements giving someone some bad news: · The airport announced that due to bad weather all flights were cancelled, and they regretted any inconvenience this would cause.regret to inform/tell/say etc: · The management regrets to inform you that your contract will not be renewed next month.· I regret to say that a number of statements made by the department were incorrect.
with a feeling of sadness because you wish a situation was different · He spoke with regret of his decision to leave office.· People who've left the town and then returned notice the changes most, sometimes with regret.with deep/great regret (=with a lot of regret) · We have accepted her resignation with deep regret.
if you say or do something regretfully , you say or do it sadly because you do not want to say or do it: · "We'd better go back," she said regretfully, "before it rains."· A news release issued by the singer's publicist said he had "regretfully" severed all ties to the band because of "creative differences".
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRYadjectives She felt a sudden pang of guilt.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE
· I accepted his resignation with great regret.
(=when you feel sad and angry)· To the bitter regret of his party, he refused to call an election.
· Her biggest regret was not having children.
· My only regret is that my parents did not live to see this day.
verbs· I have absolutely no regrets.
· The president expressed his regret at the deaths.
phrases literary (=a sudden short feeling of regret)· Kate watched her go with a pang of regret.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES (=wish you had not made a particular decision)· I was already regretting my decision to go on holiday with him.
· The military has not offered any expression of regret over the civilian loss of life.
(=one that expresses a particular feeling) There was a murmur of agreement from the crowd.
There was a murmur of agreement from the crowd. She felt a sudden pang of guilt.· With deep regret he decided that he would have to abort his part of the mission.· It was with deep regret that I had to leave for home later that evening.· He has contemplated suicide, he says; he feels deep regret about the death.· As you know, you have always had my warm personal support, and I accepted your decision with deep regret.· The government has done so with the deepest regret.
· Rattigan's great professional regret was the failure of his 1949 play based on Alexander the Great, Adventure Story.· My greatest regret in life was abandoning Amanda, my calico.· It was a great regret to me that our partnership was to come to an end.· It is with great personal regret that I have come to this conclusion.· My great regret was that I never recorded with Busch.· With great regret they decided to abandon the project in view of the ever-increasing cost.· The tone of Tithonus' words seem to be of great regret and self lamenting.
VERB· President Afeworki expressed his regret at their deaths and insisted they were not intentional.· I know of not a single surgeon who ever expressed any regret over these women or apologized to one of them.· As reported last month four boys have been suspended for unacceptable behaviour and have expressed no regret for their actions.· When he retired, several civil rights leaders expressed regret.· Yet all the while she spoke with me, she never made a sound nor expressed any sadness or regret.· Many of these men expressed regret at what they had done as soon as they were sober.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRYPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
- Henry sends his regrets - he has the flu.
- He may think leaving his wife for the other woman is a good idea, but he'll live to regret it.
- If you put all your money in this real estate deal, I guarantee you'll live to regret it.
WORD FAMILYadjectiveregrettableregretfuladverbregrettablyregretfullynounregretverbregret
1[countable usually plural, uncountable] sadness that you feel about something, especially because you wish it had not happenedregret about I have no regrets about leaving.great/deep regret She has already expressed deep regret for what happened.with regret I decided with some regret that it was time to move on. It is with great regret that I must decline your offer.to somebody’s regret I lost touch with her, much to my regret.2give/send your regrets formal to say that you are unable to go to a meeting, accept an invitation etc: My father was ill and had to send his regrets.COLLOCATIONSadjectivesgreat/deep regret· I accepted his resignation with great regret.bitter regret (=when you feel sad and angry)· To the bitter regret of his party, he refused to call an election.somebody’s biggest regret· Her biggest regret was not having children.somebody’s only regret· My only regret is that my parents did not live to see this day.verbshave regrets· I have absolutely no regrets.express regret· The president expressed his regret at the deaths.phrasesa pang/twinge/stab of regret literary (=a sudden short feeling of regret)· Kate watched her go with a pang of regret.