regretful

[ri-gret-fuhl]

adjective

1. full of regret; sorrowful because of what is lost, gone, or done.

Other Word Forms

• regretfully adverb
• regretfulness noun
• unregretful adjective
• unregretfully adverb
• unregretfulness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of regretful¹

First recorded in 1640–50; regret + -ful

Example Sentences

The other night, I bumped into a fellow parent at an ice cream shop and when I asked how he was, he said, with a regretful smile, “depends on the day.”

From Los Angeles Times

The DWP said it was "deeply regretful" after the inquest heard Ms Whiting "had lost hope" at the time of her death.

From BBC

The DWP said it was "deeply regretful" after the inquest heard that Ms Whiting, 42, "had lost hope" at the time of her death.

From BBC

He told Salon that in the face of the Trump administration's "brazenness" and how it "emboldens Ohio politicians," he struggles to empathize with the few Trump voters who may be regretful.

From Salon

"I am truly sorry and regretful that I could not live up to your expectations," he said.

From BBC

Related Words

• apologetic 
• ashamed 
• contrite 
• remorseful 
• sorrowful