guilty

Definition of guilty

Etymology

From Middle English gilty, gulty, from Old English gyltiġ (“offending, guilty”), equivalent to guilt +‎ -y.

Pronunciation

• Audio (US) ^[?]
• (US) IPA: /ˈɡɪl.ti/
• Rhymes: -ɪlti

Adjective

guilty (comparative guiltier, superlative guiltiest)

1. Responsible for a dishonest act.
   
   He was guilty of cheating at cards.
   
   
2. (law) Judged to have committed a crime.
   
   The guilty man was led away.
   
   
3. Having a sense of guilt
   
   Do you have a guilty conscience?
   
   
4. Blameworthy.
   
   I have a guilty secret.

Noun

guilty (plural guilties)

1. (law) A plea by a defendant who does not contest a charge.
2. (law) A verdict of a judge or jury on a defendant judged to have committed a crime.