Regret May Come From a Word for Weeping
Regret is sorrow over something done or not done. The likeliest origin is an Old Norse word for lamenting.
Regret is sadness about something that has happened or been left undone. The origin is probably Norse: Old French *regreter* is thought to combine *re-* with a Germanic root related to *grætan*, to weep or lament. Research consistently finds that people regret inaction more than action over the long term.
- Sorrow over the past. *Deep regret.*
- To feel sorrow about. *I regret nothing.*
- Regrets — an apology for absence. *Send my regrets.*
- Regrettable — to be regretted. *A regrettable error.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | regret | Lasting regret. |
| Plural | regrets | No regrets. |
| Verb | regret | Regret the decision. |
| Adjective | regrettable | A regrettable remark. |
| Adjective | regretful | A regretful tone. |
How it is used in a sentence
- People regret inaction more over time.A consistent research finding.
- Regretful and regrettable differ.Feeling regret versus deserving it.
- He sent his regrets.Declining an invitation.
Regretful or regrettable
- Regretful — feeling regret
- Regrettable — causing regret in others
- Common error — using regretfully for regrettably
- Remorse — regret with a moral dimension
- Rue — an older verb, surviving in *rue the day*
From Old French *regreter*, to lament, probably from *re-* and a Germanic root meaning to weep.
Regretfully or regrettably?
Regretfully means with regret, describing the speaker. Regrettably means unfortunately, describing the situation.
Do people regret action or inaction more?
Research consistently finds that regrets about things not done outlast regrets about things done.