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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Regret: Meaning, Examples, and Usage Guide (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：feel sorrow (regret)

regret 🔊

/rɪˈɡrɛt/

v. & n.

To feel sad or sorry about something you did or didn't do in the past.

Regret feeling sorrow looking at old family photo album

feel sorrow 🔊

➕

/fiːl ˈsɒrəʊ/

v. & n.

To experience sadness or disappointment about a past action or inaction.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Old French 'regreter', from re- 'again' + -gret (from Frankish *grētan 'to weep').

💡 Mnemonic

Think 're' (again) + 'gret' (sounds like 'greet') — you wish you could grett again to change the past.

📖 Example

I regret not taking that art class when I had the chance; now my schedule is too busy. 🔊 I regret not taking that art class when I had the chance; now my schedule is too busy.

🔗 Collocations

deeply regret – To feel very strong sorrow or remorse about something.

regret missing – To feel sorry about failing to attend or experience something.

regret buying – To feel disappointed after making a purchase.

🔄 Synonyms

repent (v.) – To feel or express sincere regret about a wrongdoing.

rue (v.) – To bitterly regret a past event or decision.

lament (v.) – To express deep sadness or regret for something lost or done.

🚫 Antonyms

rejoice (v.) – To feel great joy or satisfaction about an event.

celebrate (v.) – To mark a positive event with pleasure and enjoyment.

🌱 Derivatives

regretful (adj.) – Feeling or showing regret.

regrettable (adj.) – Causing regret; unfortunate.

regretfully (adv.) – In a manner that expresses regret.

📖 Cultural Story

Originating in Old French as 'regreter' meaning 'to lament, bewail', the word passed into Middle English with the sense of grieving over a past event.

Meaning 2：remorse (regret)

regret 🔊

/rɪˈɡrɛt/

v. & n.

A feeling of sadness or disappointment about something that happened or that you did.

remorse 🔊

➕

/rɪˈmɔːrs/

v. & n.

A feeling of sadness or disappointment about something that has happened or that one has done.

📁 Category：Physical & Mental Health 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

His biggest regret was not traveling more before starting his demanding career. 🔊 His biggest regret was not traveling more before starting his demanding career.

🔗 Collocations

express regret – To state or show that one feels remorse.

deep regret – A very strong feeling of sadness or remorse.

with regret – Feeling or showing sadness about an action or situation.

🔄 Synonyms

remorse (n.) – Deep regret for a wrong committed.

sorrow (n.) – A feeling of deep distress caused by loss, disappointment, or misfortune.

contrition (n.) – The state of feeling remorseful and penitent.

🚫 Antonyms

satisfaction (n.) – Contentment or pleasure from fulfilling a desire or need.

contentment (n.) – A state of happiness and satisfaction.

🌱 Derivatives

regretful (adj.) – Feeling or showing regret.

regrettably (adv.) – In a manner that causes regret; unfortunately.