regrets

1 3.5

A polite message saying sorry for not being able to go to an event

noun
/rɪˈɡrɛts/

Formal

: disculpas

After reviewing the invitation, they expressed their regrets for missing the event.

Examples

Please accept my regrets for declining your kind invitation to the party.
But they both send their regrets and their best wishes for us to have a very successful first session.
Jennifer Gresham is the founder of the No Regrets Career Academy, which offers a free mini-course in career change.

Blog text (32)
She sent her regrets for not being able to attend the wedding.

Synonyms

declination

vsregrets

Formal

1 8.7

A polite refusal of an invitation or offer

expresses sorrow or apology for being unable to attend

Antonyms

acceptance

104 2.7

Being approved or welcomed by other people

Idioms

no regrets

Informal

31 5.2

Not feeling sorry about something you did

Surface Forms

regret singular

regrets plural

Morphology

regrets = regret (semi-transparent) = regret + s

The plural suffix is regular, but 'regrets' as a polite formula meaning 'apologies' is a conventional usage that is not fully predictable from the singular sense.

Etymology

The word regrets comes from an old French word regreter, made of re- and greter, that meant 'to cry' or 'to be sorry', like the English word grieve. So when someone sends their 'regrets' about an event, they are simply saying they are sorry they cannot go.