culpable

[kuhl-puh-buhl]

adjective

1. deserving blame or censure; blameworthy.

   Synonyms: reprehensible

culpable

/ ˈkʌlpəbəl /

adjective

1. deserving censure; blameworthy

Other Word Forms

• culpability noun
• culpableness noun
• culpably adverb
• nonculpable adjective
• nonculpableness noun
• nonculpably adverb
• unculpable adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of culpable¹

1275–1325; Middle English < Latin culpābilis, equivalent to culpā ( re ) to hold liable (derivative of culpa blame) + -bilis -ble; replacing Middle English coupable < Middle French < Latin as above

Word History and Origins

Origin of culpable¹

C14: from Old French coupable, from Latin culpābilis, from culpāre to blame, from culpa fault

Example Sentences

Virgil van Dijk had called for Liverpool's players to take individual responsibility, but the Reds captain was culpable as PSV took the lead in the sixth minute.

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"The court has expressed shock and observed that the officials are equally, if not more, culpable in the matter."

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"If they didn't report you they'd be culpable themselves. It was a real negative and toxic atmosphere to work in."

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But within that framework, he’s changed nearly everything else to make Victor more culpable.

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Lee Smith, 37, was jailed for eight years last December after admitting culpable homicide.

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Related Words

• guilty 
• impeachable 
• liable 
• reprehensible 
• responsible 

When To Use

What does culpable mean?

Culpable means deserving blame for a crime or wrongdoing.When someone is described as culpable for something, it means it’s their fault or that they are guilty of it.Culpable is typically used in serious legal contexts involving crimes.The noun culpability refers to the guilt or blame that is deserved for some crime or wrongdoing.Example: The CEO should be held criminally culpable for the negligence that resulted in the deaths of several employees.