- a sad feeling because of something that has happened or something that you have done or not done
- a feeling/pang/twinge of regret
- It is a matter of regret that no proper investigation was carried out at the time.
- What is your greatest regret (= the thing that you are most sorry about doing or not doing)?
- with regret It is with great regret that I accept your resignation.
- regret at something She expressed her regret at the decision.
- regret at doing something She admitted her regrets at having had to give up her youthful ambitions.
- regret about doing something I have no regrets about leaving Newcastle (= I do not feel sorry about it).
- regret about something He confessed to a few regrets about his time in Parliament.
- regret for something There has still been no official expression of regret for their deaths.
- regret for doing something He said he felt deep regret for having been part of a government that had brutally violated human rights.
- He gave up teaching in 2009, much to the regret of his students.
Extra ExamplesTopics Feelingsb2- 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 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
- James felt a twinge of regret at missing the party.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- big
- bitter
- deep
- …
- pang
- stab
- tinge
- …
- feel
- have
- express
- …
- to your regret
- with regret
- without regret
- …
- expression of regret
- a matter for regret
- a matter of regret
- …
Word Originlate Middle English: from Old French regreter ‘bewail (the dead)’.
Check pronunciation:
regret