guilty

[[t]gɪ̱lti[/t]]

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guiltier, guiltiest

1) ADJ-GRADED: usu v-link ADJ, oft ADJ about n If you feel guilty, you feel unhappy because you think that you have done something wrong or have failed to do something which you should have done.

I feel so guilty, leaving all this to you...

When she saw me she looked guilty.

Derived words:

guiltily ADV-GRADED ADV with v

He glanced guiltily over his shoulder.

2) ADJ: ADJ n Guilty is used of an action or fact that you feel guilty about.

guilty conscience → see conscience

Many may be keeping it a guilty secret...

I leave with a guilty sense of relief.

3) ADJ: oft ADJ of n/-ing If someone is guilty of a crime or offence, they have committed that crime or offence.

They were found guilty of murder...

He pleaded guilty to causing actual bodily harm.

4) ADJ: oft ADJ of n/-ing If someone is guilty of doing something wrong, they have done that thing.

He claimed Mr Brooke had been guilty of a `gross error of judgment'...

They will consider whether or not he has been guilty of serious professional misconduct.