accuse
Accuse (verb) means to claim that someone has done something wrong or committed a crime. Example: “They accused him of stealing company funds.”
How to use accuse
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo say that someone is guilty of doing something wrong.
Word forms
accused past tense, accuse plural, accused plural, accuses singular, accuse singular, accused singular, accusest singular, accusedst singular, accuseth singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
They _____ him of stealing company funds.
Etymology
From Old French acuser, from Latin accusare, "to call to account," from ad- plus causa, "cause, lawsuit."
Related words
Rhymes for accuse
See all rhymes for accuse →Frequently asked questions
What does “accuse” mean?
The word “accuse” means to claim that someone has done something wrong or committed a crime. In plain terms, to say that someone is guilty of doing something wrong.
How do you pronounce “accuse”?
“Accuse” is pronounced uh-KYOOZ (/əˈkjuz/ in IPA).
How do you use “accuse” in a sentence?
Here is “accuse” used in a sentence: “They accused him of stealing company funds.”
What part of speech is “accuse”?
“Accuse” is a verb.
Where does the word “accuse” come from?
The word “accuse” comes from Latin. From Old French acuser, from Latin accusare, "to call to account," from ad- plus causa, "cause, lawsuit.".
Is “accuse” a common word?
“Accuse” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between accuse and blame?
Accuse specifically means to claim that someone has done something wrong or committed a crime, often in a formal or public way. Blame is broader and can simply mean holding someone responsible for a bad outcome, without necessarily suggesting wrongdoing or a formal claim.
What preposition follows accuse in a sentence?
Accuse is typically followed by "of," as in "She accused him of lying." This structure pairs the person being accused with the wrongdoing they are claimed to have done.
Is accuse a formal or neutral word?
Accuse is a neutral, widely used word appropriate in both everyday and formal contexts, including legal settings. It carries a serious tone because it implies a specific claim of wrongdoing rather than casual criticism.
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