regret

1 verb (T)

1 to feel sorry about something you have done and wish you had not done it: regret doing sth: She deeply regretted losing her temper.

(+ that): He regrets that he never went to college. | regret sth: It's a great opportunity, Mr Jarvis - you'll never regret it. | bitterly/deeply regret (=regret something very much): It was a stupid decision and I bitterly regret it. | live to regret sth (=regret something later): I'm afraid this is a decision that he'll live to regret. | you'll regret it spoken (=used when threatening someone): You'd better not tell the police, or you'll regret it.

2 (not in progressive) formal to be sorry and sad about a situation: The management regrets any inconvenience caused to its customers. | I regret that formal (=used to politely say that you cannot do something): I regret that I will be unable to attend. | I regret to say/inform/tell (=used when you are going to give someone bad news): I regret to inform you that your contract will not be renewed.

USAGE NOTE: REGRET GRAMMAR Regret is often followed by an ing form of a verb, not often by the to form unless it is related to something that is about to be said. So if you say: I regret to tell you this, but I just crashed the car, you mean I'm sorry, but I crashed the car. Compare this with: I regret telling you I crashed the car. This means I'm sorry I told you I crashed the car. You regret something (NOT regret about/for something). 2 noun (C, U)

1 sadness that you feel about something because you wish it had not happened or that you had not done it

(+ at): The company expressed deep regret at the accident. | Jason detected a note of regret in her voice. | with (great/deep) regret: With great regret they abandoned the idea of rebuilding the kitchen. | have no/few regrets (=not feel sorry about something that you have done): Hetty felt no regrets about her decision to leave home.

2 much to my regret formal used to say that you are sorry about something: Much to our regret, we will be unable to attend your wedding.

3 give/send your regrets formal to say that you are unable to go to a meeting, accept an invitation etc: My father was ill and had to send his regrets.