Showing results for "accused"

• past tense form of accuse.
• past participle of accuse.

accused

American  

[uh-kyoozd] / əˈkjuzd /

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

On Tuesday, some UK petrol stations were accused of failing to report live price changes to Fuel Finder, which is aimed at saving drivers money.

From BBC • Jul. 10, 2026

The man accused of murdering influential right-wing campaigner Charlie Kirk broke down in tears of regret days after the killing, according to video testimony played in a US court on Thursday.

From Barron's • Jul. 9, 2026

In short, both sides accused the other of breaking it.

From Slate • Jul. 9, 2026

“People accused of serious animal cruelty should not be allowed to keep control of abused animals while a case slowly moves through the court system.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 8, 2026

Mama kept chickens, which Daddy accused her of spoiling.

From "Reaching for the Moon" by Katherine Johnson