allegedly
Americanadverb
adverb
-
reportedly; supposedly
payments allegedly made to a former colleague
-
(sentence modifier) it is alleged that
interjection
Usage
What does allegedly mean? Allegedly means according to what has been claimed. It’s used to describe an action or situation that someone claims happened but that has not been confirmed or proven, especially a crime. Allegedly is the adverb form of the adjective alleged, which itself comes from the past tense of the verb allege, meaning to claim without proof or before proof is available. Such an accusation is called an allegation. Allegedly is most commonly used in a legal context, especially in journalism in reports about a person who has been accused of a crime or other wrongdoing but who has not been convicted. Using the word allegedly allows journalists to talk about allegations without seeming to presume guilt (and getting sued for libel). Example: Mr. Jones allegedly stole from his company over a period of 15 years.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of allegedly
Explanation
If someone is said to be allegedly guilty of something, it means that proof has yet to be produced or they have yet to be found formally guilty by law. Allegedly is used almost entirely in a legal sense, referring to a potentially criminal action that is being or will shortly be decided in court. (It's from the medieval English word allege, meaning "quoted" or "brought forth in court.") For less serious matters, such as whether or not your boyfriend called you a liar, the word supposedly is generally used. Though watch out, because if you take him to court, you will become "allegedly a liar."
Vocabulary lists containing allegedly
Speak
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Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie
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The Great Greene Heist
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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.
There has never been any indication that Becerra was investigated as a participant, and he has forcefully denied wrongdoing, calling it a “gut punch” that his advisers allegedly betrayed him.
From Los Angeles Times • May 15, 2026
It claims the firms were responsible for carbon emissions that allegedly contributed to the 2021 Pacific Northwest Heat Dome, when weather was unusually hot.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 15, 2026
After winning an overwhelming victory, Rocha allegedly followed through on promises to protect the sons’ operations.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 14, 2026
Certain allegedly cancelled comedians have only risen to greater fame and fortune.
From Salon • May 14, 2026
And his allegedly repaired car coughed and floundered, as it had been doing for months prior to overhaul.
From "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" by Philip K. Dick
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.
