contrite

adjective/kənˈtraɪt/

Frequency rank: #19,266 most common English word

Meaning

Feeling or showing sincere remorse for having done something wrong.

Illustration for the English word “contrite”

Example sentence

After breaking his sister's favorite mug, he felt genuinely contrite and apologized right away.

Synonyms & related words

Practice this word in the quiz

More words in ranks 19,201–19,300