accuser

American  

[uh-kyoo-zer] / əˈkyu zər /

noun

1. a person who accuses, especially in a court of law.

   a trial in which the accuser and accused may freely speak.

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Usage

What does accuser mean? An accuser is someone who accuses someone of a crime or offense—says that they are guilty of it. Doing so is called making an accusation. Accusing can happen in everyday situations, such as children accusing each other of not sharing, but accuser is typically only used in serious situations, especially when someone accuses someone else of committing a crime. The person against whom the accusation is made can be described with the adjective accused. 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. In many legal systems, the accused has the right to face their accuser in court. Example: This verdict has finally brought some justice to his many accusers.

Other Word Forms

• self-accuser noun

Etymology

Origin of accuser

Middle English word dating back to 1300–50; accuse, -er ¹

Example Sentences

That case ended last year in favor of the musician’s accuser after Bambaataa failed to appear for a court hearing in New York.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

He denied it and his mother dealt with it: She paid the bulk of the settlement to his accuser with her personal fortune.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 5, 2026

She also pointed to a newly published email from Ghislane Maxwell, which appeared to confirm a photograph of Andrew with his hand around the waist of his late accuser Virginia Giuffre was real.

From BBC • Feb. 12, 2026

During discussion of the Epstein files, California Democratic Representative Ted Lieu mentioned Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, who is facing growing pressure from officials and the family of his prominent accuser Virginia Giuffre to testify in the US.

From BBC • Feb. 11, 2026

“The accuser is correct that it is the way,” Jamison said to the guardians.

From "Gathering Blue" by Lois Lowry