Definition of "regret" in English

verb

1. To feel sorry about (a thing that has or has not happened), afterthink: to wish that a thing had not happened, that something else had happened instead.

   • He regretted his words.
   • They said they regretted to inform us that the train would be late.

2. (more generally) To feel sorry about (any thing).

   • I regret that I have to do this, but I don't have a choice.

3. (archaic, transitive) To miss; to feel the loss or absence of; to mourn.

noun

1. Emotional pain on account of something done or experienced in the past, with a wish that it had been different; a looking back with dissatisfaction or with longing.

2. (obsolete) Dislike; aversion.

3. (decision theory) The amount of avoidable loss that results from choosing the wrong action.

4. A person invited to an event who was unable to attend, but notified the organizer of this beforehand; a nonattendee.