regret

regret

re·gret [regret regrets regretted regretting] verb, noun   [rɪˈɡret]    [rɪˈɡret]

verb (-tt-)
1. to feel sorry about sth you have done or about sth that you have not been able to do
• ~ sth If you don't do it now, you'll only regret it.
• The decision could be one he lives to regret.
• ‘I've had a wonderful life,’ she said, ‘I don't regret a thing.’
• She regretted the words the moment they were out of her mouth.
• ~ doing sth He bitterly regretted ever having mentioned it.
• ~ what, how, etc… I deeply regret what I said.

• ~ that… I regret that I never got to meet him in person.

2. (formal) used to say in a polite or formal way that you are sorry or sad about a situation
• ~ sth The airline regrets any inconvenience.
• ~ that… I regret that I am unable to accept your kind invitation.
• ~ to do sth We regret to inform you that your application has not been successful.
• it is regretted that… It is to be regretted that so many young people leave school without qualifications.
Verb forms:

 
Word Origin:
late Middle English: from Old French regreter ‘bewail (the dead)’.  
Thesaurus:
regret verb T, I (formal, especially written)
• The airline regrets any inconvenience.
apologize • |especially BrE, formal, spoken beg sb's pardon •
regret/apologize that…
apologize/beg sb's pardon for sth
apologize/beg sb's pardon if…
Regret or beg sb's pardon? Regret is used in writing and in formal announcements, especially on behalf of a company or organization; beg sb's pardon is also formal but it is more personal, used by an individual speaking to another individual.  
Example Bank:
• I immediately regretted not asking for his name and address.
• It was a decision she would soon regret.
• Pierre told them some things he later regretted telling.
• She knew that she would live to regret this decision.
• The president said that his country deeply regretted the incident.
• ‘I've had a wonderful life,’ she said, ‘I don't regret a thing.’
• If you don't do it now, you'll only regret it.
• It is to be regretted that so many young people leave school without qualifications.

• The decision could be one he lives to regret.

noun uncountable, countable
a feeling of sadness or disappointment that you have because of sth that has happened or sth that you have done or not done
• It is with great regret that I accept your resignation.
• She expressed her regret at the decision.
• a pang/twinge of regret
• I have no regrets about leaving Newcastle (= I do not feel sorry about it).
• What is your greatest regret (= the thing that you are most sorry about doing or not doing)?
• He gave up teaching in 2009, much to the regret of his students.  
Word Origin:
late Middle English: from Old French regreter ‘bewail (the dead)’.  
Thesaurus:
regret noun
1. U, C
• He gave up teaching in 2007, much to the regret of his students.
disappointment • • sadness • • unhappiness • • grief • |formal sorrow • |literary melancholy •
Opp: satisfaction, Opp: happiness
regret/disappointment/sadness/unhappiness/grief/sorrow/melancholy at/about/over sth
regret/sadness/grief/sorrow for sth
to your regret/disappointment/grief/sorrow
with regret/sorrow/sadness
2. U, C
• She expressed deep regret at the incident.
remorse • • shame • • guilt • |formal, especially religion repentance •
Opp: pride
regret/remorse/shame/guilt at sth
regret/remorse/repentance for sth
feel (no) regret/remorse/shame/guilt 
Example Bank:
• Her biggest regret was that she had never had children.
• I have absolutely no regrets about resigning.
• I never learned to play an instrument and that's a matter of some regret.
• It is with deep regret that we announce the death of Mr Fred Fisher.
• She enjoyed living alone, but felt a tiny pang of regret for her mother's cooking.
• She expressed deep regret at the incident.
• She showed no regret about leaving her country.
• She thought of them without regret.
• The police offered no expression of regret at his wrongful arrest.
• To my regret, I lost touch with her years ago.
• my sincere regret at what has happened
• He gave up teaching in 2007, much to the regret of his students.
• James felt a twinge of regret at missing the party.

• What is your greatest regret?