culpable

[kuhl-puh-buhl]

adjective

1. deserving blame or censure; blameworthy.

   Synonyms: reprehensible

culpable

/ ˈkʌlpəbəl /

adjective

1. deserving censure; blameworthy

Other Word Forms

• culpability noun
• culpableness noun
• culpably adverb
• nonculpable adjective
• nonculpableness noun
• nonculpably adverb
• unculpable adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of culpable¹

1275–1325; Middle English < Latin culpābilis, equivalent to culpā ( re ) to hold liable (derivative of culpa blame) + -bilis -ble; replacing Middle English coupable < Middle French < Latin as above

Word History and Origins

Origin of culpable¹

C14: from Old French coupable, from Latin culpābilis, from culpāre to blame, from culpa fault

Example Sentences

Lee Smith, 37, was jailed for eight years last December after admitting culpable homicide.

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Venable treats even his most culpable characters as human beings — perhaps the play’s boldest move in an age of moral absolutes.

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The court heard that Ley, who has previous convictions for culpable and reckless conduct, knife possession, housebreaking and breach of bail, was psychiatrically assessed in 2009.

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In July 2023, shortly before their trial was due to begin at the High Court in Glasgow, Sandy McKellar admitted the reduced charge of culpable homicide.

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Judge Vanessa Francis said that the pair had a "cavalier attitude" and were equally culpable.

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Related Words

• guilty 
• impeachable 
• liable 
• reprehensible 
• responsible 

When To Use

What does culpable mean?

Culpable means deserving blame for a crime or wrongdoing.When someone is described as culpable for something, it means it’s their fault or that they are guilty of it.Culpable is typically used in serious legal contexts involving crimes.The noun culpability refers to the guilt or blame that is deserved for some crime or wrongdoing.Example: The CEO should be held criminally culpable for the negligence that resulted in the deaths of several employees.