noun
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an allegation that a person is guilty of some fault, offence, or crime; imputation
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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
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.
It was around that period that he dated Fifield, a Republican former campaign aide whose accusation was published by the New York Times in an article that included claims of bad behavior from other women.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 6, 2026
And in the Commons, shadow home secretary Chris Philp said "police appeared more concerned with the accusation of racism" than "helping Henry".
From BBC • Jun. 3, 2026
After an unexpected loss, he leveled a serious accusation.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 3, 2026
Petro's government has denied the accusation and responded with economic measures of its own.
From BBC • May 30, 2026
That’s a hint of accusation in her tone.
From "South of Somewhere" by Kalena Miller
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.
