noun
-
an allegation that a person is guilty of some fault, offence, or crime; imputation
-
a formal charge brought against a person stating the crime that he is alleged to have committed
Usage
What does accusation mean? An accusation is a claim that someone is guilty of a crime or offense. To make an accusation is to accuse someone. This can happen in everyday situations, such as children accusing each other of not sharing. But accusation is typically used in a legal context to refer to an official claim or charge that a crime has been committed. A person who makes an accusation (who accuses) is called an accuser (especially when the accusation involves a crime). The adjective accused 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. Statements that suggest or outright say that someone did something wrong can be described as accusatory. Example: If you’re going to make an accusation that serious, you’d better have some evidence to back it up.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of accusation
1350–1400; Middle English accusacion < Latin accūsātiōn- (stem of accūsātiō ), equivalent to accūsāt ( us ), past participle of accūsāre ( see accuse, -ate 1) + -iōn- -ion
Explanation
When you say someone is guilty of doing something wrong you make an accusation, like your accusation that your brother used your computer without asking first. Accusation comes from the verb accuse, which means to charge someone with a crime. It is important to remember that an accusation comes about when someone thinks another person has done something wrong or committed a crime. It doesn't mean, however, that the person is guilty. There needs to be proof — an investigation or trial, even admission of guilt — before a conviction, meaning the person really is guilty.
Vocabulary lists containing accusation
The Bill of Rights
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
100 Great Words from "Fahrenheit 451" -- Part I Vocabulary
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Wasn't Me: The Lingo of Laying Blame
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
See Examples For:
The accusation against Hijazi was a “dagger,” said Schuster, who said she still supported her longtime therapist.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 5, 2026
Clavicular himself has been accusing the girl of fabricating her claims to get revenge for being rejected by him, an accusation echoed online by many of his fans.
From Salon ● Sep. 25, 2026
He also addressed the accusations of antisemitism, writing that "one of the most effective ways to enforce silence has been to weaponize the accusation of antisemitism".
From BBC ● Sep. 14, 2026
This month, more than 5,000 Jewish public figures and allies — including several UC professors — signed an open letter opposing the accusation.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 12, 2026
Brer jerked back as if I’d struck him, and he swallowed whatever accusation he’d had on the tip of his tongue.
From "Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky" by Kwame Mbalia
It helps you draw boundaries without being held hostage to accusations of selfishness.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 8, 2026
As the accusations flew, the businessman just smiled and sweet-talked his way through the maelstrom - even winning over President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who was initially unimpressed by him when he first came to power.
From BBC ● Oct. 7, 2026
In an interview, Deters denied the accusations, calling it “the most ridiculous BS lawsuit of all time.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 7, 2026
Thoughtful and measured, the movie stars Sebastian Stan and Renate Reinsve as a husband and wife enduring similar accusations.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 7, 2026
In my head, I hear them whisper back—not accusations, but their hopes, their wants.
From "An Ember in the Ashes" by Sabaa Tahir
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.
