guilty
pronunciation
How to pronounce guilty in British English:
UK [ˈɡɪlti]
How to pronounce guilty in American English:
US [ˈɡɪlti]
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- Adjective:
- responsible for or chargeable with a reprehensible act; or marked by guilt
- showing a sense of guilt
Word Origin
- guilty (adj.)
- Old English gyltig "offending, delinquent, criminal," from gylt (see guilt (n.)). In law, "that has committed some specified offense," late 13c. Of conscience, feelings, etc., 1590s. Meaning "person who is guilty" is from 1540s. To plead not guilty is from 15c.; to plead guilty is 19c., though, as OED notes, "Guilty is technically not a plea, but a confession." Related: Guiltily; guiltiness.
Example
- 1. Eichmann was found guilty on 11 december , 1961 .
- 2. All three pleaded not guilty .
- 3. He has pleaded not guilty .
- 4. Certainly shechem son of hamor is guilty .
- 5. Thirteen other former executives were also found guilty .