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Regret

3 stages from Frankish to English.

Today it means to feel sorry about

Where does the word "regret" come from? It comes from Frankish gretan, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
gretan
Frankish · ancient
"to weep"
possibly a Frankish word related to Old Norse 'gráta', to weep
2
Stage 2 of 3
regreter
Old French · medieval
"to mourn"
used of mourning the dead in Old French poetry
3
Stage 3 of 3
regret
English · 1300s
"to mourn"
'regrets only' on invitations dates from the 1900s
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Read the full story

Regret’s story begins in Frankish: gretan meant “to weep.” Possibly a Frankish word related to Old Norse 'gráta', to weep. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as regreter. Used of mourning the dead in Old French poetry. It reached English by 1300s as regret. 'regrets only' on invitations dates from the 1900s. Today, regret means to feel sorry about.