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Definition
A keyword: an important word to learn regret1   Show phonetics
verb [T] regretting, past regretted
1 BAD DECISION to feel sorry about a situation, especially something that you wish you had not done
If you don't tell her the truth you'll regret it later.
[+ doing sth] I really regret leaving school so young.
[+ (that)] He began to regret that he hadn't paid more attention in class.

2 SORRY TO SAY FORMAL used to say that you are sorry that you have to tell someone about a situation
[+ to do sth] We regret to inform you that the application has been refused.
[+ (that)] The council regrets that the money is no longer available.

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