guilty pleasure: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal, Colloquial
Quick answer
What does “guilty pleasure” mean?
A thing, activity, or piece of media one enjoys despite feeling that it is not generally held in high regard or is somewhat embarrassing to like.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A thing, activity, or piece of media one enjoys despite feeling that it is not generally held in high regard or is somewhat embarrassing to like.
A cultural product or indulgence perceived as lowbrow, trashy, or frivolous, but which provides personal enjoyment or comfort. The feeling of guilt is typically mild and self-aware, often stemming from a perceived gap between one's tastes and one's intellectual or social self-image.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning or usage. The phrase is equally common in both varieties.
Connotations
Slight connotation of playful self-deprecation in both variants.
Frequency
Very high frequency in pop culture and lifestyle discourse in both the UK and US.
Grammar
How to Use “guilty pleasure” in a Sentence
My guilty pleasure is + NP/V-ingConsider NP a guilty pleasureAdmit to + NP/V-ingVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might be used metaphorically in informal contexts, e.g., 'Our guilty pleasure project is this quirky app no one expects to make money.'
Academic
Very rare. Used in cultural studies, media studies, or sociology to analyze consumption patterns and taste hierarchies.
Everyday
Very common in conversations about music, TV, film, food, and reading habits.
Technical
Not used.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “guilty pleasure”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “guilty pleasure”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “guilty pleasure”
- Using it for genuinely morally wrong activities. Incorrect: 'His guilty pleasure was stealing cars.' Correct: 'His guilty pleasure was watching cheesy 80s soap operas.'
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, the 'guilt' is social or intellectual, not necessarily related to health or morality. It's about perceived low quality or lack of sophistication.
Absolutely. Many popular things are considered guilty pleasures precisely because so many people enjoy them privately while publicly dismissing them.
Some cultural commentators argue that in an age of ironic consumption and broken taste hierarchies, the concept is less relevant. However, the phrase remains very common in everyday speech.
A 'vice' typically implies a stronger moral failing or harmful habit (e.g., smoking, gambling). A 'guilty pleasure' is milder, more about personal taste and social embarrassment than serious harm.
A thing, activity, or piece of media one enjoys despite feeling that it is not generally held in high regard or is somewhat embarrassing to like.
Guilty pleasure is usually informal, colloquial in register.
Guilty pleasure: in British English it is pronounced /ˌɡɪl.ti ˈpleʒ.ər/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌɡɪl.ti ˈpleʒ.ɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Achilles' heel (for a weak spot, but without the guilt)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of secretly enjoying a piece of chocolate cake (pleasure) while on a diet, feeling a bit naughty (guilty).
Conceptual Metaphor
PLEASURE IS A CRIME / INDULGENCE IS A SIN (conceptual source domain of morality applied to taste).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best describes a 'guilty pleasure'?