noun
-
an allegation that a person is guilty of some fault, offence, or crime; imputation
-
a formal charge brought against a person stating the crime that he is alleged to have committed
Usage
What does accusation mean? An accusation is a claim that someone is guilty of a crime or offense. To make an accusation is to accuse someone. This can happen in everyday situations, such as children accusing each other of not sharing. But accusation is typically used in a legal context to refer to an official claim or charge that a crime has been committed. A person who makes an accusation (who accuses) is called an accuser (especially when the accusation involves a crime). The adjective accused means charged with a crime or other offense. Accused is also used as a noun to refer to a person or people who have been charged with a crime, often as the accused. Statements that suggest or outright say that someone did something wrong can be described as accusatory. Example: If you’re going to make an accusation that serious, you’d better have some evidence to back it up.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of accusation
1350–1400; Middle English accusacion < Latin accūsātiōn- (stem of accūsātiō ), equivalent to accūsāt ( us ), past participle of accūsāre ( see accuse, -ate 1) + -iōn- -ion
Explanation
When you say someone is guilty of doing something wrong you make an accusation, like your accusation that your brother used your computer without asking first. Accusation comes from the verb accuse, which means to charge someone with a crime. It is important to remember that an accusation comes about when someone thinks another person has done something wrong or committed a crime. It doesn't mean, however, that the person is guilty. There needs to be proof — an investigation or trial, even admission of guilt — before a conviction, meaning the person really is guilty.
Vocabulary lists containing accusation
The Bill of Rights
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100 Great Words from "Fahrenheit 451" -- Part I Vocabulary
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Wasn't Me: The Lingo of Laying Blame
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Her lawyer Gentian Serjani said the fire was "probably deliberate" -- a frequent accusation about blazes in and around the old steelworks complex.
From Barron's ● Oct. 8, 2026
The accusation against Hijazi was a “dagger,” said Schuster, who said she still supported her longtime therapist.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 5, 2026
Orélien, who was born in Haiti and moved to Montreal in 2010, immediately denied the accusation.
From BBC ● Sep. 23, 2026
This strategy is classic “whataboutism,” which is defined as “the act or practice of responding to an accusation of wrongdoing by claiming that an offense committed by another is similar or worse.”
From Salon ● Sep. 18, 2026
Ion was horrified at the accusation she brought against his lord and master.
From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton
Casting big names from TV and film in theatre shows is a growing trend, and one that sometimes provokes accusations of cashing in.
From BBC ● Oct. 8, 2026
It helps you draw boundaries without being held hostage to accusations of selfishness.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 8, 2026
In an interview, Deters denied the accusations, calling it “the most ridiculous BS lawsuit of all time.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 7, 2026
The incident, as alleged in a graphic lawsuit filed last month, has drawn accusations that the Ivy League institution in New York state failed to properly punish the men involved.
From Barron's ● Oct. 6, 2026
Behind me, I can hear the accusations against Peeta building.
From "Mockingjay" by Suzanne Collins
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
