REGRET

[verb], [noun] -tt- - (to have or express) a feeling of sadness about something sad or wrong or about a mistake that you have made, and (to have or express) a wish that it could have been different and betterIs there anything in your past life that you regret? [T]I had too much to drink last night, and I'm really regretting it this morning. [T]I have always regretted not having studied harder at school. [+ verb-ing]I really regret leaving (= I am sorry that I have to leave) the party so early like this. [+ verb-ing](formal) The council regrets (that) the money to subsidise the youth club is no longer available. [+ (that) clause](formal) British Airways regret to announce the cancellation of flight BA205 to Madrid. [+ to infinitive]I left school at 16, but I've had a great life and I have no regrets. [C]My only regret is that I never got the chance to go to America. [C + that clause]The manager expressed deep regret at/for the number of staff reductions. [U]We think, much to our regret (= and we regret this very much), that we will not be able to visit you next year. [U]We had five party invitations while we were in Greece, so we had to send our regrets (= send letters of polite refusal) to all of them. [I]