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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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.
Authorities said city-owned “rapelling equipment was allegedly used” during the incidents and displayed online, according to a spokeswoman for the district attorney’s office.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 16, 2026
On Wednesday, prosecutors from eight US states also sued ChatGPT-maker OpenAI, a rival AI lab that could go public next year, for allegedly concealing certain risks and implementing inadequate safeguards.
From Barron's ● Oct. 15, 2026
The paper also reported that Paxton rang in 2025 at a New Year’s party in Dubai attended by two men federal prosecutors had indicted for allegedly embezzling millions from an Illinois hospital.
From Salon ● Oct. 15, 2026
A decade later—after stints at Meta Platforms and a startup backed by Andreessen Horowitz—Alfozan allegedly booked one-way plane tickets from San Francisco to Saudi Arabia for himself, his spouse and a family member.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 15, 2026
Myers testified this man had black-gray hair and allegedly talked to McMillian.
From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson
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Get a wordDefinitions 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.
