noun
Common
accused
uh-KYOOZD
Accused (noun) means a person formally charged with a crime; the defendant. Example: “The accused pleaded not guilty at his first court appearance.”
noun
1
A person formally charged with a crime; the defendant.
"The accused pleaded not guilty at his first court appearance."
"The accused arrived at the Baoshan District Court in Shanghai in the morning and a tribunal officer told AFP that a verdict may be issued later on Monday, but it was up to the judge."
— , Australia's Crown Resorts staff face trial in China (2017)
"The accused stood quietly while the judge read out the charges."
"Lawyers for the accused argued that there was not enough evidence."
adj
1
Charged with or blamed for wrongdoing.
"The accused employee was suspended pending an investigation."
"The accused driver denied that he had been speeding."
"The accused players were asked to explain their behaviour to the committee."
How to use accused
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone charged with a crime, or describing someone in that position.
Common pairings
the accused
wrongly accused
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Word forms
- Plural
- accuseds
- Comparative
- more accused
- Superlative
- most accused
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ pleaded not guilty at his first court appearance.
Etymology
As a noun, it is first attested in the 1590s; it comes from accuse (“blame”) plus -ed.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for accused
See all rhymes for accused →Frequently asked questions
What does “accused” mean?
The word “accused” means a person formally charged with a crime; the defendant. In plain terms, someone charged with a crime, or describing someone in that position.
How do you pronounce “accused”?
“Accused” is pronounced uh-KYOOZD (/əˈkjuzd/ in IPA).
How do you use “accused” in a sentence?
Here is “accused” used in a sentence: “The accused pleaded not guilty at his first court appearance.”
What part of speech is “accused”?
Depending on how it is used, “accused” can be a noun and an adjective.
Is “accused” a common word?
“Accused” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “accused” have?
“Accused” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person formally charged with a crime; the defendant.
What is the difference between the accused and the defendant?
They usually refer to the same person, with a slight shift in setting. The accused is anyone formally charged with a crime, emphasising the accusation itself. Defendant is the courtroom term for that person once a case is under way. In everyday use the two are largely interchangeable.
Does being the accused mean someone is guilty?
No. The accused is only the person charged with a crime, not someone proven to have committed it. Under the presumption of innocence they are treated as innocent until a court finds otherwise. Being accused establishes a formal allegation; guilt is decided later through evidence, trial, and a verdict.
What is the difference between the accused and a suspect?
A suspect is someone the police believe may be involved in a crime but have not formally charged. The accused has been formally charged and faces prosecution. In short, a suspect is still under investigation, while the accused has entered the legal process and must answer the charge in court.
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