accused

American  

[uh-kyoozd] / əˈkyuzd /

adjective

1. charged with a crime, wrongdoing, fault, etc..

   the accused boy.

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noun

1. Often the accused a person or persons charged in a court of law with a crime, offense, etc.

accused British  

/ əˈkjuːzd /

noun

1. law the defendant or defendants appearing on a criminal charge

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Usage

What does accused mean? Accused is an adjective that 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. To accuse someone of something means to say that they are guilty of it. This can happen in everyday situations, such as children accusing each other of not sharing. But accused is most used in the context of the criminal justice system to indicate that a person has been officially charged with a crime. Example: The accused was escorted in the courtroom by police.

Other Word Forms

• misaccused adjective
• self-accused adjective
• unaccused adjective

Etymology

Origin of accused

First recorded in 1585–95; accuse + -ed ²

Example Sentences

“Imagine being accused of something you’re not doing, and something as disgusting as that. As if I’m some animal that can’t go to the bathroom.”

From MarketWatch • Apr. 10, 2026

The IDF has not answered the BBC's questions about why it accused him of being a "terrorist".

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

They accused the oil companies of creating a public nuisance by altering the environment and leaving the county to pay to abate growing hazards such as the flooding that tests roads and bridges.

From Salon • Apr. 10, 2026

This is not the first time that Gilead has been accused of profiteering.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

Once, the noon aide accused me of stealing the equipment-room key, and they called Mom to the principal’s office.

From "The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman" by Gennifer Choldenko