How Do You Spell GUILT?

Pronunciation: [ɡˈɪlt] (IPA)

The word "guilt" is spelled with a "g" and a "u". The "g" represents the voiced velar plosive consonant that is pronounced in the back of the throat. The "u" represents the vowel sound that is pronounced in the front of the mouth before rounding the lips. The "i" represents the vowel sound that is pronounced in the middle of the mouth and is shorter than the "u" sound. Finally, the "t" represents the voiceless alveolar plosive consonant that is pronounced by stopping the airflow with the tongue behind the upper teeth.

GUILT Meaning and Definition

  1. Guilt, a noun derived from the Old English word gylt, refers to the emotional experience of remorse, self-reproach, or feeling responsible for a perceived offense, wrongdoing, or moral transgression. It is the complex blend of negative emotions resulting from a person's belief that they have violated their own moral code, committed a wrongful act, or failed to meet a certain standard of behavior or expectation.

    Guilt is often accompanied by feelings of shame, regret, sadness, or anxiety, and can be provoked by actual actions, thoughts, or even the mere intention to engage in wrongful behaviors. It is a self-reflective and internalized emotion that arises from an individual's personal judgment and evaluation of their actions or lack thereof.

    Furthermore, guilt is closely related to notions of ethics, moral values, and social norms. Its presence implies a recognition of right from wrong, and serves as a psychological mechanism that reinforces social conformity. In some cases, guilt can motivate individuals to take responsibility for their actions, make amends, seek forgiveness, or adopt corrective behaviors in order to restore personal integrity and maintain relationships.

    However, excessive or chronic guilt can be detrimental to one's well-being, leading to self-destructive behaviors, persistent negative self-image, or even mental health issues such as depression or anxiety disorders. It is therefore important to differentiate healthy guilt, which plays a constructive role in personal growth and moral development, from unhealthy guilt that impedes one's ability to move forward and achieve emotional equilibrium.

  2. Crime; offence; state of being tainted with sin or crime.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for GUILT *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for GUILT

Etymology of GUILT

The word "guilt" originated from the Old English word "gylt", which was derived from the Proto-Germanic word "gulþą". This Proto-Germanic term comes from the same origin as the Old High German word "guld" and Old Norse word "gyldr", both of which meant "debt" or "guilt". The ultimate root goes back to the Proto-Indo-European word "ghel-", meaning "to pay back" or "to satisfy". Over time, the meaning of "gylt" evolved from referring to a monetary debt to encompass a moral or psychological feeling of responsibility, remorse, or culpability for wrongdoing.

Idioms with the word GUILT

  • guilt trip The idiom "guilt trip" refers to a situation where a person intentionally or manipulatively makes someone feel guilty, usually in an attempt to make them change their behavior or comply with their wishes. It involves invoking a sense of guilt or shame in order to influence or control someone's actions or decisions.
  • lay a guilt trip on someone The idiom "lay a guilt trip on someone" means to intentionally make someone feel guilty or responsible for a certain action or situation by using emotional manipulation or manipulation of moral obligations. It involves putting pressure on someone to make them feel remorseful, often in order to get them to behave or act according to one's own desires or expectations.
  • absolved from guilt The idiom "absolved from guilt" means to be declared innocent or free from blame for a wrongdoing or offense. It denotes the act of being forgiven or exonerated from any culpability or moral responsibility for an action or behavior.
  • send (one) on a guilt trip The idiom "send (one) on a guilt trip" refers to manipulating someone into feeling guilty or remorseful about something they have done or not done. It involves emotionally manipulating or appealing to one's conscience to make them feel responsible or regretful for their actions.
  • guilt complex The idiom "guilt complex" refers to an excessive or irrational sense of guilt or self-blame felt by an individual. It describes an intense feeling of responsibility for perceived wrongdoings or past actions, often leading to feelings of anxiety, regret, or self-punishment, even when the guilt is unfounded or disproportionate to the situation.
  • send on a guilt trip The idiom "send on a guilt trip" means to intentionally make someone feel guilty for something they have done or have not done, often for the purpose of manipulating or controlling their actions or behavior. It involves trying to evoke a sense of guilt or remorse in someone in order to influence their decision-making process or to make them comply with certain expectations.
  • lay a guilt trip on (one) To "lay a guilt trip on (one)" means to make someone feel guilty or responsible for something, typically through manipulative or passive-aggressive behavior. It involves attempting to evoke feelings of guilt or remorse in order to control or influence the person's actions or decisions.
  • a guilt trip The idiom "a guilt trip" refers to a manipulative technique used by someone to make another person feel guilty or remorseful about something, often to obtain a specific outcome or to gain advantage in a situation. It involves intentionally burdening someone with guilt or blame for personal or emotional reasons.
  • lay a guilt trip on The idiom "lay a guilt trip on" means to intentionally make someone feel guilty or responsible for something, often by using emotional manipulation or verbal tactics. It refers to the act of placing a burden of guilt upon someone in order to influence their actions or behavior.
  • send sb on a guilt trip The idiom "send someone on a guilt trip" refers to intentionally making someone feel guilty or remorseful for their actions or decisions. It involves attempting to manipulate or influence them by emphasizing their perceived wrongdoing or responsibility for negative outcomes. This phrase implies that someone is being emotionally manipulated to feel guilty as a means of control or persuasion.
  • absolve from guilt The idiom "absolve from guilt" means to declare or prove someone innocent or free from blame for a particular act or wrongdoing, thereby releasing them from any guilt or responsibility associated with it.
  • put a guilt trip on (one) The idiom "put a guilt trip on (one)" means to intentionally make someone feel guilty or responsible for something, often by using emotional manipulation or trying to make them feel ashamed or remorseful. It involves applying psychological pressure to make someone feel obligated or accountable for a specific action or situation.

Similar spelling words for GUILT

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